SOFT'NESS, noun 1. The quality of bodies which renders them capable of yielding to pressure, or of easily receiving impressions from other bodies; opposed to hardness. 2. Susceptibility of feeling or passion; as the softness of the heart or of our natures. 3. Mildness; kindness; as softness of words or expressions. 4. Mildness; civility; gentleness; as softness of manners. 5. Effeminacy; vicious delicacy. He was not delighted with the softness of the court.] 6. Timorousness; pusillanimity; excessive susceptibility of fear or alarm. This virtue could not proceed out of fear or softness 7. Smoothness to the ear; as the softness of sounds, which is distinct from exility or fineness. 8. Facility; gentleness; candor; easiness to be affected; as softness of spirit. 9. Gentleness, as contrary to vehemence. With strength and softness energy and ease. 10. Mildness of temper; meekness. For contemplation he and valor form'd for softness she, and sweet attractive grace. 11. Weakness; simplicity. 12. Mild temperature; as the softness of a climate.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI