blackness

See also: Blackness

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English blaknesse, equivalent to black +‎ -ness. Sense 5 most likely both originated from the masque The Masque of Blackness by Ben Jonson and later changed to its current positive sense.

Pronunciation

  • (US) IPA(key): /ˈblæknəs/
  • Audio (Southern England):(file)
  • Rhymes: -æknəs

Noun

blackness (usually uncountable, plural blacknesses)

  1. The state or quality of being black in colour.
    The blackness of outer space comes from the lack of anything to reflect light rather than the absence of light.
  2. Any space that such colour pervades.
    Out of the blackness came some flickers of light.
  3. (figurative) Darkness, gloominess; depression.
  4. (figurative) The quality of being evil or dismal.
  5. The state of being of African descent.
    • 2018 February 12, David Betancourt, “‘Black Panther’ fully embraces its blackness—and that's what makes it unforgettable”, in The Washington Post‎[1], archived from the original on 12 February 2018:
      “Black Panther” is a stunning visual and cultural achievement that takes superhero cinema where it’s never gone before by not being afraid to embrace its blackness.
  6. The experiences and culture of African-American people.

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