swarthiness

9.0

A dark skin color on a person's face or body

noun
/ˈswɔrθiˌnəs/

: morenez

The swarthiness of the villagers was often celebrated in their traditional clothing during festivals.

Examples

I've imagined my baby sister, a child fair and calm, free from the swarthiness and big bones bestowed upon me.

Fiction book (1999)
Despite his swarthiness, he had a warm and friendly demeanor that made everyone feel at ease.
He has the swarthiness of a Gypsy and the air of a miscreant, and yet his steps are deft and, in their animal way, not unsophisticated.

Fiction book (1995)
His neck, from the effort of holding the hat erect, didn't seem so turtle-like; the crown hid the red spot on his skull; the leather seemed to match his swarthiness, making him look mysterious, even dangerous.

Fiction book (1992)
Her swarthiness was striking against her bright white dress, making her stand out at the event.

Synonyms

duskiness

vsswarthiness

8.6

A dark skin colour

is the abstract state of having a dark or dusky complexion

Antonyms

paleness

3 4.3

A face that looks very light in colour because of illness, fear, or lack of sun

fairness

1 7.2

A light, attractive color of the skin

How Dark

swarthiness

9.0

tan

122 1.0

Surface Forms

swarthiness singular

swarthinesses plural

Morphology

swarthiness = swarthy (transparent) = swarthy + ness

Formed by adding the noun-forming suffix '-ness' to the adjective 'swarthy', so the meaning is directly the state/quality of being swarthy.

Etymology

Swarthiness comes from an old English word sweart meaning 'black' or 'dark', and the adjective swarthy kept that meaning. So, swarthiness is the quality or state of having a dark or dusky skin tone.