[f. AIRY a. + -NESS.] The quality of being airy (in various senses).

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  1.  Unsubstantiality like that of the air.

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1674.  N. Fairfax, Bulk & Selv., 40. The same is altogether nothing but the airiness of thinking.

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  2.  Openness to the air; breeziness.

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1742.  Bailey, Airiness, lying open to the Air.

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  3.  Lightness or sprightliness of motion.

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1731.  Bailey, Airiness, briskness, liveliness.

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1779.  Johnson, L. P., Wks. 1816, X. 164. His numbers … commonly want airiness, lightness, and facility.

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1826.  H. Coleridge, West Indies, 78. The bird has the advantage … in airiness and motion.

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1846.  T. Wright, Mid. Ages, I. vii. 249. The elves and fairies in all their frolicsome airiness.

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  4.  Sprightliness of personal manner.

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1711.  Addison, Spect., No. 45, ¶ 5. Gaiety and Airiness of Temper.

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1837.  Dickens, Lett. (1880), II. 16. Airiness and good spirits are always delightful.

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  5.  Graceful delicacy or lightness of style.

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1794.  Mathias, Pursuits of Lit. (1798), 336. More fancy and airiness of design.

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1842.  Mrs. Browning, Grk. Chr. Poets (1863), 181. His peculiar grace and airiness of diction.

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