Definition

Noun: 1. Extreme beauty of a delicate sort: The quality of being exquisitely beautiful, often implying fineness, intricacy, and a refined, almost fragile, elegance. 2. Intense keenness or sharpness of feeling or perception: A state of being extremely intense, acute, or refined, as in pain, pleasure, or sensitivity.

Usage

The noun "exquisiteness" is used to describe a supreme, often delicate, quality of beauty or a state of extreme acuity. It is a formal term. - It typically refers to objects, art, craftsmanship, or experiences that are exceptionally beautiful in a refined way. - It can also describe feelings or sensations that are intensely sharp or acute.

Examples

• Referring to delicate beauty:
  • The exquisiteness of the handmade lace left everyone in awe.
  • Critics praised the exquisiteness of the porcelain vase's design.
• Referring to acute feeling or quality:
  • He remembered the exquisiteness of the pain from his childhood injury.
  • The exquisiteness of the flavor in the simple dish surprised the judges.

Advanced Usage

• "with an exquisiteness that...": Used to introduce a clause describing the precise nature of the delicate beauty or acuity.
  • The melody was performed with an exquisiteness that brought tears to their eyes.
• Abstract application: Can be applied to abstract concepts like timing or detail.
  • The exquisiteness of her timing made the comedy routine perfect.

Variants and Related Words

• Exquisite (adjective): Extremely beautiful, delicate, or finely made; intensely felt or perceived.
  • an exquisite piece of jewelry
  • exquisite pain
• Exquisitely (adverb): In an exquisite manner.
  • exquisitely carved

Synonyms

• Elegance: The quality of being graceful and stylish in appearance or manner.
• Refinement: The quality of being cultured, polished, or free from coarseness.
• Delicacy: Fineness or intricacy of texture or structure.
• Keenness (for the acuity sense): Sharpness or intensity.

Antonyms

• Coarseness: Roughness or lack of refinement.
• Crudeness: Rough or simple construction; lack of sophistication.
• Dullness (for the acuity sense): Lack of sharpness or intensity.

Idioms and Phrases

Note: "Exquisiteness" itself is not commonly used in fixed idioms. However, the adjective "exquisite" is part of common phrases. - Exquisite taste: Refers to a highly refined and discerning sense of aesthetic or culinary judgment. - Her exquisite taste in art is well known. - Exquisite torment: A literary phrase describing a feeling that is intensely painful yet somehow refined or complex. - Waiting for her answer was an exquisite torment.

Noun

1. extreme beauty of a delicate sort