Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun The state of being outward; objectivity; externality.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun concern with outward things or material objects (esp the body and its appearance) as opposed to the mind or the spirit or ideal concepts.
  • noun the quality or state of being outside or directed toward or relating to the outside or exterior.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun uncountable The quality of being outward.
  • noun countable The result or product of being outward.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun a concern with or responsiveness to outward things (especially material objects as opposed to ideal concepts)
  • noun concern with outward things or material objects as opposed to the mind and spirit
  • noun the quality or state of being outside or directed toward or relating to the outside or exterior

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From outward +‎ -ness.

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Examples

  • A Deweyan representation of the reading experience (the experience of art in general) would balance the inwardness Birkerts evokes with an outwardness that also seeks satisfaction in the perception of form and style.

    Turning Pages 2010

  • A Deweyan representation of the reading experience (the experience of art in general) would balance the inwardness Birkerts evokes with an outwardness that also seeks satisfaction in the perception of form and style.

    April 2010 2010

  • A Deweyan representation of the reading experience (the experience of art in general) would balance the inwardness Birkerts evokes with an outwardness that also seeks satisfaction in the perception of form and style.

    Art and Culture 2010

  • A Deweyan representation of the reading experience (the experience of art in general) would balance the inwardness Birkerts evokes with an outwardness that also seeks satisfaction in the perception of form and style.

    The Reading Experience 2010

  • Though an ostensibly democratic space, rarely so “exclusive” that it will turn away business, the gym presents a sheltered environment, designed to produce in its visitors more inwardness than outwardness; despite your body being on display and your having to heave and sweat, both externalizing forces, the mood proper to the gym is more introvert than extrovert.

    BREAKFAST WITH SOCRATES ROBERT ROWLAND SMITH 2010

  • Though an ostensibly democratic space, rarely so “exclusive” that it will turn away business, the gym presents a sheltered environment, designed to produce in its visitors more inwardness than outwardness; despite your body being on display and your having to heave and sweat, both externalizing forces, the mood proper to the gym is more introvert than extrovert.

    BREAKFAST WITH SOCRATES ROBERT ROWLAND SMITH 2010

  • But our spirituality DOES deeply need openings and pauses and receptivity to flourish, this is just as "spiritual" as outwardness and activity.

    Taking Time To Reflect 2007

  • It marks a new outwardness on the part of the Canadian business community and a new awareness about a major potential market, especially concerning energy, technology, transportation, urban development and engineering services.

    Communicating in the New North American Market 1992

  • My faith begins with this man who lived 2,000 years ago and who was a man for others and whose life demonstrated a grace, demonstrated an outwardness toward others that informs the whole of our existence.

    Oral History Interview with J. Randolph Taylor, May 23, 1985. Interview C-0021. Southern Oral History Program Collection (#4007) 1985

  • This has put us in the forefront of the Race's outwardness; but it has also brought us closest to the unknowns of worlds never ours.

    A Circus of Hells Anderson, Poul, 1926- 1969

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