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Definition of portliness - 3 dictionary results

port⋅ly

  [pawrt-lee, pohrt-]
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–adjective, -li⋅er, -li⋅est.
1. rather heavy or fat; stout; corpulent.
2. Archaic. stately, dignified, or imposing.
Origin:
1520–30; port 5 (n.) + -ly

Related forms:
port⋅li⋅ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To portliness
port·ly   (pôrt'lē, pōrt'-)   
adj.   port·li·er, port·li·est

  1. Comfortably stout; corpulent. See Synonyms at fat.

  2. Archaic Stately; majestic; imposing.


[From port5.]
port'li·ness n.
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

portly 
1529, "stately, dignified," from port (3) "bearing, carriage" (q.v.). Meaning "stout" is first recorded 1598.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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