iˈllustriousness
[f. as prec. + -ness.]
1. Illustrious quality or condition; † brilliance, resplendency; distinction; illustrious rank or position.
| 1650–66 Wharton Poems Wks. (1683) 383 Farewel to all our New Nobility: Good-night Illustriousness. 1660 Jer. Taylor Duct. Dubit. i. iv. 126 The illustriousness of the birth. 1682 A. Behn False Count iv. ii, An't please your Illustriousness. 1889 Harper's Mag. Mar. 501/1 Academies which can vie with ours in the illustriousness of their members. |
2. [tr. G. durchlaucht.] With possessive adjective as a title of dignity or honour given to German princes.
| 1929 ‘S. N. D.’ Sir W. Howard Visct. Stafford iv. 48 His Electoral Illustriousness, the Prince Palatine of the Rhine. |