blackness

== English == === Alternative forms === Blackness blacknesse (obsolete) === Etymology === Inherited from Middle English blaknesse, equivalent to black +‎ -ness. Sense 5 most likely both originated from the masque The Masque of Blackness by Ben Jonson and later changed to its current positive sense. === Pronunciation === (US) IPA(key): /ˈblæknəs/ Rhymes: -æknəs === Noun === blackness (usually uncountable, plural blacknesses) The state or quality of being black in colour. Any space that such colour pervades. (figurative) Darkness, gloominess; depression. (figurative) The quality of being evil or dismal. The state of being of African descent. The experiences and culture of African-American people. ==== Antonyms ==== blacklessness, whiteness ==== Hypernyms ==== darkness, dark (noun) ==== Coordinate terms ==== blackenedness blackishness ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ====