exactness
UK[ɪɡˈzæktnəs]US[ɪɡˈzæktnəs]
n
The quality of being very accurate and correct in all details.
Morpheme Breakdown
exact
ness
exact
precise, accurate.
ness
Etymology
The word "exactness" is built upon the adjective "exact," which originates from the Latin verb exigere, meaning "to drive out," "to demand," or "to measure by a standard." This verb itself is composed of ex- (out) and agere (to drive), conveying the idea of demanding something out of someone or measuring something out to a precise standard. Over time, the sense of precise measurement became dominant. The suffix "-ness," a native English element, is then appended to this adjective to form a noun that encapsulates the abstract quality or state of being precise and accurate in every detail.
Analysis
Structure: exact + ness
- exact: From Latin exigere (to drive out, demand, measure precisely), via French exact. In this word, it functions as the adjective root meaning "precise, accurate."
- ness: From Old English -nes, a noun-forming suffix denoting a state, quality, or condition.
Examples
The success of the experiment depended on the exactness of the measurements.
She was known for the exactness of her translations, capturing every nuance of the original text.
The map was drawn with such exactness that every small trail was clearly marked.