SEDATENESS

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does sedateness mean? 

• SEDATENESS (noun)
  The noun SEDATENESS has 1 sense:

1. a trait of dignified seriousness

  Familiarity information: SEDATENESS used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SEDATENESS (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A trait of dignified seriousness

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Synonyms:

sedateness; solemness; solemnity; staidness

Hypernyms ("sedateness" is a kind of...):

earnestness; serious-mindedness; seriousness; sincerity (the trait of being serious)

Derivation:

sedate (characterized by dignity and propriety)

sedate (dignified and somber in manner or character and committed to keeping promises)

 Context examples 

Nor did he seem much more at ease; when he spoke, his accent had none of its usual sedateness; and he repeated his inquiries as to the time of her having left Longbourn, and of her having stayed in Derbyshire, so often, and in so hurried a way, as plainly spoke the distraction of his thoughts.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

But when the second moment had passed, when she found every doubt, every solicitude removed, compared her situation with what so lately it had been,—saw him honourably released from his former engagement, saw him instantly profiting by the release, to address herself and declare an affection as tender, as constant as she had ever supposed it to be,—she was oppressed, she was overcome by her own felicity;—and happily disposed as is the human mind to be easily familiarized with any change for the better, it required several hours to give sedateness to her spirits, or any degree of tranquillity to her heart.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)