1 viridity | Definition of viridity
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viridity

noun
vi·​rid·​i·​ty | \ və-ˈri-də-tē How to pronounce viridity (audio) \

Definition of viridity

1a : the quality or state of being green
b : the color of grass or foliage
2 : naive innocence
Synonyms & Antonyms Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about viridity

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Did You Know?

Viridity is simply a highfalutin way to say "greenness" in both its literal and figurative senses. "Greenness" goes all the way back to Old English grēnnes, from grēne ("green"), a word akin to Old English grōwan ("to grow"). Viridity did not enter the language until the 15th century, when it was adopted into Middle English (as viridite) from Middle French viridité. The ultimate source of viridity, however, is Latin viriditas ("greenness"), itself drawn from the root viridis ("green"). Viridis is also the source (by way of Middle French verdoyant) of English verdant, as well as verdancy, yet another fancy synonym for "greenness."

Examples of viridity in a Sentence

a heroine beset by the vacuous viridity that is so typical of romance novels

First Known Use of viridity

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for viridity

Middle English viridite, from Latin viriditat-, viriditas, from viridis

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More from Merriam-Webster on viridity

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with viridity

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for viridity

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