whiteness
/'waitnis/
Học thuậtThân thiện
The whiteness of the snow-covered hills was brilliant under the clear winter sky.
Definition
- Noun:
- The quality or state of being white in color: This refers to the achromatic color of maximum lightness, the opposite of black.
- Paleness or fairness of complexion: This describes a light or pale skin tone, often on a person's face.
- The state of being pure, innocent, or free from moral corruption: This is a figurative meaning, suggesting freedom from sin or evil.
Examples of Usage
- Referring to color:
- The whiteness of the snow was blinding in the sunlight.
- She admired the perfect whiteness of the newly painted fence.
- Referring to complexion:
- The whiteness of his face showed he was frightened.
- Her skin had a natural whiteness that she protected from the sun.
- Referring to purity or innocence:
- The story is a symbol of the whiteness of a child's soul. (Note: This figurative usage is less common in modern everyday language.)
Advanced Usage
- "The Whiteness of the Whale": A famous chapter title in Herman Melville's novel , where the color white is analyzed for its symbolic meanings, including both awe and terror.
- In social and critical theory, "whiteness" is studied as a social and political construct related to identity, privilege, and power structures. This is a specialized academic usage.
Variants and Related Words
- White (adj): Of the color white; pale in complexion; morally pure.
- A white dress; white as a ghost; a white lie.
- Whitish (adj): Somewhat white;接近白色的.
- The liquid had a whitish color.
- Whitening (n): The process of making something white or lighter.
- Tooth whitening is a popular cosmetic procedure.
Synonyms
- Paleness: Lightness of skin color (for complexion).
- Fairness: Light complexion (for skin tone).
- Purity: Freedom from sin or guilt (for the moral sense).
- Lightness: The quality of reflecting much light (for the color sense).
Related Phrases and Idioms
- Whiter than white: An idiom meaning extremely pure, innocent, or virtuous, often used ironically to suggest pretended or impossible purity.
- The politician tried to present a whiter than white image to the public.
The whiteness of the snow-covered hills was brilliant under the clear winter sky.
Noun
- lightness or fairness of complexion
- only the whiteness of her cheeks gave any indication of the stress from which she was suffering
- the state of being unsullied by sin or moral wrong; lacking a knowledge of evil
- the quality or state of the achromatic color of greatest lightness (bearing the least resemblance to black)