[OE. beorhtnes, brehtnis, f. as prec. + -NESS.] The quality of being bright; brilliancy, clearness; vivacity, quickness of intellect, etc. (see BRIGHT a.).
c. 950. Lindisf. Gosp., John v. 40. Brehtnise from monnum ne onfoe ic.
c. 1000. Ags. Gosp., Luke ii. 9. And godes beorhtnes him ymbe-scean.
c. 1200. Trin. Coll. Hom., 13. Six werkes of brictnesse.
c. 1330. R. Brunne, Chron. (1810), 103. A brightnesse com fro heuen.
1413. Lydg., Pylgr. Sowle, V. v. (1859), 76. Sterres … castyng oute bemes of huge bryghtynes.
1592. Shaks., Rom. & Jul., II. ii. 19. The brightnesse of her cheeke would shame those starres.
1709. Prior, Poems, Ded. v. The Brightness of his Parts … distinguish’d him in an Age of great Politeness. Ibid. (1718), Solomon, III. (R.). Vex’d with the present Moment’s heavy Gloom, Why seek We Brightness from the Years to come?
1851. Ruskin, Mod. Paint., II. III. II. v. § 15. Brightness of colour is altogether inadmissible without purity and harmony.
