Straightnesses

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The quality or state of being straight, involving alignment in a direct line or absence of curves
2. The characteristic of having an unbending form, often in relation to geometry or physical objects
3. A concept denoting the condition of lacking deviation or distortion, especially in visual or structural contexts

Etymology: "Straightnesses" is simply the plural of "straightness," the noun for the quality of being straight. The base word goes back to Middle English "streightnes," formed from "straight" plus the suffix "-ness," which turns an adjective into a noun naming a quality. English has done this with countless adjectives, so the core of the word is an old and ordinary construction. The plural form is the more unusual part. Most uncountable nouns of quality, like "straightness," resist pluralizing, so "straightnesses" appears mainly when someone wants to count or compare distinct instances of straightness, such as the different degrees or stretches of straightness in several lines or roads. The Scots cognates "strauchtness" and "straichtness" show the same formation in a related branch of the language.