starkness
|stark-ness|
🇺🇸
/ˈstɑrk.nəs/
🇬🇧
/ˈstɑːk.nəs/
bare / severe / complete
Etymology
'starkness' originates from Old English and Proto-Germanic elements, specifically from the adjective 'stark' (Old English 'stearc' / Proto-Germanic '*starkaz'), with the suffix '-ness' used to form a noun meaning 'state or quality of'.
'stearc' (Old English) → Middle English 'stark' → modern English 'stark', with the derived noun 'starkness' formed by adding the productive suffix '-ness'.
Initially associated with 'strong' or 'forceful' (from Proto-Germanic), the sense shifted to include 'severe, bare, or harsh', and 'starkness' came to denote the quality of being severe, bare, or complete.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the quality or state of being bare, plain, or desolate; severe simplicity or austerity.
The starkness of the winter landscape made the town seem smaller than usual.
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Noun 2
the quality of being complete or sheer (used for emphasis), often describing a strong, clear contrast.
The starkness of the contrast between the two proposals was obvious to the committee.
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Last updated: 2025/11/07 00:15