ness

Etymology

From Middle English nesse (in placenames), from Old English ness, næss, from Proto-Germanic *nasją (“promontory; ness”); cognate with Middle Low German nes, Icelandic nes, Swedish näs, Danish næs. Related to nose.

Pronunciation

• enPR: nĕs, IPA^(key): /nɛs/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Rhymes: -ɛs

Noun

ness (plural nesses)

1. (geography) A promontory; a cape or headland. (frequently used as a suffix in placenames)
   • 1958: Eric Rücker Eddison, Zimiamvian Trilogy, volume 3: “The Mezentian Gate”, page 177 (Elek Bks.)

     Velvraz Sebarm stands upon the lake, among orange-trees and pomegranates and almonds and peaches of the south, a mile north-west over the water from Zayana town, and two miles by land: an old castle built of honey-coloured marble at the tip of a long sickle-shaped ness that sweeps round southwards, with wild gardens running down in the rocks to the water’s edge, and behind the castle a wood of holm-oaks making a wind-break against the north.

See also

• Nes
• Ness
• naze

References

• ness in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
• The Collins English Dictionary, Collins, London & Glasgow 1986

Anagrams

• SE SN, SNES, Sens., sens

Etymology

Cognate with German Nässe

Noun

ness f (plural nessa)

1. rainy weather
2. wetness