[f. as prec. + -NESS.]
1. Plentifulness; abundance.
1447. Bokenham, Seyntys (Roxb.), 280. The grett wepyng Wych she dede usyn in copyousnesse.
1547. Boorde, Introd. Knowl., 118. There is plenty of fisshe … and copiousnes of woll and cloth.
1699. Bentley, Phal., Introd. 9. The Kings … rivalling one another in the Magnificence and Copiousness of their Libraries.
1752. Johnson, Rambler, No. 194, ¶ 8. This copiousness of ideas, and felicity of language.
1867. Tristram, in Spurgeon, Treas. Dav., Ps. cxxxiii. 3. We had sensible proof … of the copiousness of the ‘dew of Hermon.’
2. Abundance of words; fullness of vocabulary.
1642. Howell, For. Trav. (Arb.), 53. In Cæsar and Cicero’s times (whereof the one for purity, the other for copiousnesse, were the best that ever writ).
1741. Middleton, Cicero, II. VIII. 227. That force and copiousness which is required in a consummate Orator.
1827. Whately, Logic, v. § 10. The copiousness and consequent precision of the Greek language.
1850. H. Rogers, Ess., II. iv. 217. The principal excellences of a language consist in copiousness, meaning by that word distinct expressions for distinct things; [etc.].
3. Fullness of treatment; diffuseness of style in speech or writing.
1699. Burnet, 39 Art., xxii. (1700), 253. It seemed necessary to explain these with a due Copiousness.
1764. Harmer, Observ., i. 2. I do not know that this has been done with anything of copiousness and particularity.
1849. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., II. 234. He harangued on his favourite theme with a copiousness which tired his hearers out.
1873. Lowell, Among my Bks., Ser. II. 276. We are inclined rather to regret his copiousness for his own sake than for ours.
