[-NESS.]
1. The quality or condition of being succinct; conciseness.
1609. Heywood, Brit. Troy, To Rdrs. I haue taskt my selfe to such succinctnesse and breuity, that [etc.].
1644. Digby, Nat. Soul, Pref. 352. To serue for conueniency and succinctenesse of discourse.
a. 1716. South, Serm. Eccl. v. 2 (1727), II. 128. Brevity and Succinctness of Speech, is that, which in Philosophy or Speculation we call Maxim, and First Principle.
1864. Burton, Scot. Abr., I. v. 279. John Hamilton … states with much succinctness … a favorite charge of that day against Knox.
1884. Athenæum, 11 Oct., 459/3. A critic is always loth to quarrel with succinctness.
2. The condition of being close-fitting or without fullness.
1818. Blackw. Mag., III. 277. Grave academics … started forth in the unwonted and unnatural succinctness of the sagum.
1891. Farrar, Darkn. & Dawn, II. 261. He wore the dress of a jockey of the green faction, and its succinctness revealed his thin legs and protuberant person.
