[f. as prec. + -NESS.] The quality or fact of being extensive.
1. Extensive character or nature; widespread range; comprehensiveness, breadth; also, the dimensions to which a thing is extended; extent.
1639. Sir R. Baker, in Spurgeon, Treas. Dav., Ps. cxxx. 6. Of the extensiveness [of our watching] there can be none [question].
1666. J. Serjeant, Letter of Thanks, 99. Tradition, when a Heresy arises, gains more of Intensiveness and vigor, than it loses in it’s Extensiveness.
1726. Leoni, trans. Alberti’s Archit., II. 28 b. A sufficient number of Columns for the extensiveness of their area.
1796. Morse, Amer. Geog., I. 260. The extensiveness of the uses to which the article can be applied.
1880. T. Hardy, Trumpet-Major, III. xxxv. 127. Her interests had grandly developed … to an extensiveness truly European.
† 2. The fact of being extended; wide diffusion.
1656. Jeanes, Fuln. Christ, 215. The bounty and liberality of men may be disinabled, by extensivenesse unto too many.
1768. Hewson, Lymph. System, in Phil. Trans., LVIII. 223. The extensiveness of this system through so many classes of animals.
† 3. Capability of being extended or dilated.
1691. Ray, Creation, I. (1704), 30. We take notice of the wonderful dilatability or extensiveness of the Throats … of Serpents.
1708. W. King, Cookery, i. What extensiveness can there be in their souls.
1755. in Johnson.
1818. in Todd.
4. = EXTENSITY.
1887. W. James, in Mind, Jan., 2. Extensiveness, being an entirely peculiar kind of feeling … can itself receive no other name than that of sensational element.
