fewness

English

Etymology

From few + -ness.

Noun

fewness (usually uncountable, plural fewnesses)

  1. The state, quality, or condition of being few.
    • 1670, John Milton, The History of Britain, that Part especially now called England; from the first traditional Beginning, continued to the Norman Conquest. Collected out of the antientest and best Authours thereof, The Second Book:
      They on the hill, which were not yet come to blows, perceiving the fewness of their enemies, came down amain.
    • 2000, David Pierce, Irish Writing in the Twentieth Century: A Reader, page 625:
      There are, says the Irish triad, 'three fewnesses that are better than plenty: a fewness of fine words; a fewness of cows on grass; a fewness of good friends around good ale'. As an Ulsterman I would agree.

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