immensity

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the state or quality of being extremely large, extensive, or numerous

   Only from the air could they appreciate the immensity of the flooded plain.

2. 2
   noun

   an immense expanse, quantity, or thing

   The telescope revealed an immensity of stars beyond the visible nebula.

Borrowed through Middle French immensité from Latin immensitas, from immensus 'immeasurable, boundless.' Immensus combines in- 'not' with mensus, the past participle of metiri 'to measure,' so the underlying image is of something that cannot be measured.

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