[f. as prec. + -NESS.] The quality of being exquisite.

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  a.  Elaborateness, high degree of finish, perfectness of detail; now usually, delicate perfection, refined and perfect beauty. † b. Scrupulous care; nicety, fastidiousness. † c. Consummate skill. d. Of pleasure or pain: Refined degree, acuteness, intensity. e. Of the senses, taste, judgment, etc.: Delicate sensibility.

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  a.  1599.  Sandys, Europæ Spec. (1632), 18. The exquisitenesse [of their Religion consisting most] in an infinity of intricate dumb Ceremonies.

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a. 1691.  Boyle, Fluidity & Firmness, II. Wks. 1744, I. 258/1. It is difficult to procure … either glasses or marbles so much as approaching such an exquisiteness.

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1823.  Lamb, Elia, Ser. I. xxii. (1860), 172. The exquisiteness of the fun.

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1884.  Spectator, 4 Oct., 1304/2. That dainty exquisiteness of utterance.

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  b.  c. 1534.  trans. Pol. Verg. Eng. Hist. (Camden), I. 78. The same exquisitenes in banquitinge did from thence discend unto our time.

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1673.  Marvell, Reh. Transp., II. 370. Suetonius describes … Augustus his hereditary exquisiteness in that particular [propriety of language].

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1772.  Burke, Corr. (1844), I. 377. In public life, it will be necessary to avoid the exquisiteness of an over-attention to small parts.

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  c.  1622.  Markham, Bk. War, II. v. 59. The [drummer’s] exquisitenesse and skilfulnesse in his Art and Instrument.

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  d.  1650.  Fuller, Pisgah, III. xii. 345. The exquisiteness of his bodily temper, increasing the exquisiteness of his torment.

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1750.  Carte, Hist. Eng., II. 775. The man, unable to bear the exquisiteness of the pain, accused … Sir Gervase Clyfton [etc.].

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1832.  in Webster; and in mod. Dicts.

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  e.  1650.  [see d].

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1664.  Power, Exp. Philos., I. 26. Which will try the exquisiteness both of your Glass and Eye to behold.

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1748.  Hartley, Observ. Man, I. ii. 115. The different Degrees of Exquisiteness in the Sense of Feeling.

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1790.  Bewick, Quadrupeds (1807), 346. The Beagle … follows by the exquisiteness of its scent.

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