[f. SPRUCE a.] The character or quality of being spruce; neatness.
1611. Middleton & Dekker, Roaring Girl, To Rdr. Now in the time of sprucenes, our plaies followe the nicenes of our Garments.
1653. W. Ramesey, Astrol. Restored, 60. An exceeding well-shaped body throughout, loving neatness, spruceness, trimming and the like.
1748. Chesterf., Lett., clvi. (1792). II. 57. A spruceness of dress is also very proper and becoming at your age.
1833. Ht. Martineau, Briery Creek, v. 108. Not all his spruceness could hide it, if he was as spruce as ever.
1884. Sat. Rev., 7 June, 745/2. There is an offensive spruceness about the whole picture.
