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Greekness

Greekness

1 7.7
The quality of being from Greece or having the language, food, and traditions of its people
  • noun
  • /ˈɡriːk.nəs/
translation icon : griego
  • Perceived enemies of Greekness have been systematically attacked for their views or, in the case of immigrants, for their very existence on this rugged patch of earth called Greece.

Examples

  • In either case, the Greekness of the statue was stressed.

    Academic text (2014)
  • The twentieth century is perhaps less dependent on classical antiquity for its innovations than earlier centuries have been, but calls for a return to some aspect of Greekness, or laments about the unlikelihood of such a return, are not unfamiliar even at a historical moment deeply suspicious of Helenophilia.

    Academic text (1998)
  • The Greekness of the ancient pottery was evident in its intricate designs and colors.

  • She embraces her Greekness by celebrating traditional festivals and cooking authentic dishes.

  • Many artists draw inspiration from the Greekness of classical literature and architecture.

Synonyms

Greek heritage
vsGreekness
3.9

Customs, traditions, and history from Greece, like festivals and food

describes the wider quality and identity of being from that nation

How Greek

Greekness
1 7.7

Surface Forms

Greekness singular
Greeknesses plural

Morphology

Greekness = Greek (transparent) = Greek + ness

The word transparently combines the adjective 'Greek' with the noun-forming suffix '-ness' to mean the state or quality of being Greek.

Etymology

Greekness is simply Greek plus the ending -ness, where -ness means 'state' or 'quality', just like in kindness or happiness, so Greekness is the 'state of being Greek' and describes someone's Greek character or origin.