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breadth

 - 3 dictionary results

breadth

  [bredth, bretth, breth]
–noun
1. the measure of the second largest dimension of a plane or solid figure; width.
2. an extent or piece of something of definite or full width or as measured by its width: a breadth of cloth.
3. freedom from narrowness or restraint; liberality: a person with great breadth of view.
4. size in general; extent.
5. Art. a broad or general effect due to subordination of details or nonessentials.
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Origin:
1515–25; earlier bredeth, equiv. to brede breadth (ME; OE brǣdu, equiv. to brǣd-, mutated var. of brād broad + -u n. suffix) + -th1; akin to G Breite, Goth braidei

Related forms:
breadthless, adjective

Synonyms:
3. latitude, impartiality, open-mindedness. 4. scope, range, reach, compass, span.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2010.
Cite This Source Link To breadth
breadth   (brědth)   
n.  

  1. The measure or dimension from side to side; width.

  2. A piece usually produced in a standard width: a breadth of canvas.

    1. Wide range or scope: breadth of knowledge.

    2. Tolerance; broadmindedness: a jurist of great breadth and wisdom.

  4. An effect of unified, encompassing vision in an artistic composition.


[Middle English breth, from brede (on the model of length, length).]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

breadth 
1523, alteration of brede "breadth," from O.E. bræd, probably by analogy with long/length.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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