becomingness en · NOUN
Etymology
Etymology tree English becoming Proto-Germanic *-in- Proto-Indo-European *-h₂ Proto-Indo-European *-éh₂ Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *-eh₂yéti Proto-Indo-European *-h₂ti Proto-Germanic *-ōną Proto-Germanic *-inōną Proto-Indo-European *-dyé- Proto-Germanic *-atjaną Proto-Indo-European *-tus Proto-Germanic *-þuz Proto-Germanic *-assuz Proto-Germanic *-inassuz Proto-West Germanic *-nassī Old English -nes Middle English -nesse English -ness English becomingness From becoming (“suitable, fit”) + -ness.
Meanings
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(uncountable) The state or quality of being becoming (pleasingly suitable).
There would have been little becomingness in his hastening after her and his Lordship of Dunstanwolde; his court to her must be paid with grace and considerateness.
1897, Frances Hodgson Burnett, chapter 17, in His Grace of Osmonde, New York: Scribner, page 231:1924, O. Douglas (pseudonym of Anna Masterton Buchan), Pink Sugar, London: Hodder & Stoughton, Chapter 22, The becomingness of Kirsty’s clothes did nothing to soften Rebecca’s feelings towards her.
Miss Crawford smiled her perfect approbation; and hastened to complete the gift by putting the necklace round her, and making her see how well it looked. Fanny had not a word to say against its becomingness, and, excepting what remained of her scruples, was exceedingly pleased with an acquisition so very apropos.
1814 May 9, [Jane Austen], chapter XXVI, in Mansfield Park: […], volume (please specify |volume=I to III), London: […] [George Sidney] for T[homas] Egerton, […], →OCLC: