softness (n.)

  1. the property of giving little resistance to pressure and being easily cut or molded

  2. a disposition to be lenient in judging others; softness is not something permitted of good leaders'

  3. poor physical condition; being out of shape or out of condition (as from a life of ease and luxury)

    [ Syn: unfitness ]

  4. the quality of weather that is deliciously mild and soothing; the days heat faded into balminess; the climate had the softness of the south of France

    [ Syn: balminess ]

  5. a state of declining economic condition; orders have recently picked up after a period of extreme softness; he attributes the disappointing results to softness in the economy'

  6. a sound property that is free from loudness or stridency; and in softness almost beyond hearing'

  7. a visual property that is subdued and free from brilliance or glare; the softness of the morning sky'

  8. acting in a manner that is gentle and mild and even-tempered; his fingers have learned gentleness; suddenly her gigantic power melted into softness for the baby; even in the pulpit there are moments when mildness of manner is not enough

    [ Syn: gentleness , mildness ]

  9. the quality of being indistinct and without sharp outlines

    [ Syn: indistinctness , indistinctness , blurriness , blurriness , fogginess , fogginess , fuzziness , fuzziness ]

  10. the trait of being effeminate (derogatory of a man); the students associated science with masculinity and arts with effeminacy; Spartans accused Athenians of effeminateness; he was shocked by the softness of the atmosphere surrounding the young prince, arising from the superfluity of the femininity that guided him

    [ Syn: effeminacy , effeminateness , sissiness , womanishness , unmanliness ]

The dictionary is based on the WordNet Electronic Lexical Database.
WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2011 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.