broadness
UK[ˈbrɔːdnəs]US[ˈbrɔːdnəs]
n
The quality or state of being broad; width or extent from side to side.
n
Lack of detail or precision; generality.
Morpheme Breakdown
broad
ness
broad
wide
ness
state or quality
Etymology
The word 'broadness' is a transparent English compound formed from the native adjective 'broad' and the noun-forming suffix '-ness'. The root 'broad' descends from Proto-Germanic braidaz, meaning "broad, wide," which itself may derive from the Proto-Indo-European root bʰreh₁- meaning "to cut, hew," possibly evolving through a sense of "spread out." The suffix '-ness' originates from the Proto-Germanic -inassu, a robust tool for creating abstract nouns from adjectives. Thus, the literal construction "the state or quality of being broad" directly yields the modern meanings, encompassing both physical width and figurative generality.
Analysis
Structure: broad (wide) + ness (state or quality)
broad: From Old English 'brād' (broad, flat, open, extended), of Germanic origin.
ness: From Old English '-nes', a suffix forming nouns of state or quality, of Germanic origin.
Examples
The broadness of the river made it impossible to swim across.
The broadness of his statement meant it lacked specific, actionable points.
She was impressed by the broadness of his knowledge on the subject.