Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun Incipient or partial darkness; a moderate degree of darkness or blackness; shade.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun The state of being dusky.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun The quality of being dusky

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun a swarthy complexion
  • noun the state of being poorly illuminated

Etymologies

Sorry, no etymologies found.

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Examples

  • Around me sat color in human flesh—brown that crimsoned readily; dim soft-yellow that escaped description; cream-like duskiness that shadowed to rich tints of autumn leaves.

    DARKWATER W.E.B. DU BOIS 2004

  • But belike this duskiness will clear presently, and then at least we shall know whither we be going; and we may either turn back, or seek some other shelter, for I know the lake well; I know, I know.

    The Water of the Wondrous Isles 2007

  • There is a hidden darkness and duskiness about violets that does not come through in all violet fragrances.

    Archive 2006-03-01 Ayala Sender 2006

  • Mrs. Charmond turned to hasten back immediately that Fitzpiers had left her side, and he was speedily absorbed into the duskiness of the trees.

    The Woodlanders 2006

  • From those, too, the rays soon faded, and the whole edifice was invested with the solemn duskiness of evening.

    The Mysteries of Udolpho 2004

  • While Emily kept her eyes fixed on the spot, she saw the door move, and then slowly open, and perceived something enter the room, but the extreme duskiness prevented her distinguishing what it was.

    The Mysteries of Udolpho 2004

  • In the eye of fancy, she perceived the gleam of arms through the duskiness of night, the glitter of spears and helmets, and the banners floating dimly on the twilight; while now and then the blast of a distant trumpet echoed along the defile, and the signal was answered by a momentary clash of arms.

    The Mysteries of Udolpho 2004

  • At this conjecture, a sudden chillness ran through her frame; she looked fearfully upon the duskiness of her chamber, and the dead silence, that prevailed there, heightened to her fancy its gloomy aspect.

    The Mysteries of Udolpho 2004

  • A scream from Theresa now told, that she knew Valancourt, whom her imperfect sight, and the duskiness of the place had prevented her from immediately recollecting; but his attention was immediately called from her to the person, whom he saw, falling from a chair near the fire; and, hastening to her assistance, — he perceived, that he was supporting Emily!

    The Mysteries of Udolpho 2004

  • She saw them at the extremities of the arcades, and immediately retreated; but the agitation of her spirits, and the extent and duskiness of the hall, had prevented her from distinguishing the persons of the strangers.

    The Mysteries of Udolpho 2004

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