simˈplisəd.ē, -sətē, -i noun
( -es )
Etymology: Middle English simplicite, from Middle French, from Latin simplicitat-, simplicitas, from simplic-, simplex simple + -itat-, -itas -ity
1.
a. : absence of complexity in form or structure
the simplicity of a tulip
the simplicity of the circular zonation within the city — H.W.H.King
b. : an irreducible element : fundamental
people seeking the basic simplicities of life — T.J.Panter
c. : organic unity
the multiplicity … of our environment seems suddenly to attain clarification, simplicity , and homogeneity — Hunter Mead
2. : lack of knowledge or good judgment : ignorance , stupidity
because of his relative political simplicity … can still be the prey of extremists — Ignazio Silone
to save his contemptible life … dared to practice on our credulous simplicity — W.S.Gilbert
3.
a. : ingenuousness of spirit : freedom from vanity or guile : humility , candor
retained a great simplicity and kindliness of character, was always easily approachable — Martha Gruening
wish to appear all innocence and simplicity , and they full of malice and deceit all the time — George Borrow
b. : unaffected naturalness : freedom from artificiality or display : genuineness , plainness
the peace and simplicity of natural surroundings — J.L.Phelan
the almost bare simplicity of life in his grandfather's house — Archibald Marshall
c. : innocence , naïveté
the combination of great intellect with childlike simplicity — Bertrand Russell
4.
a. : directness of expression : absence of ambiguity or overrefinement : clarity , intelligibility
pleased the general reader by the smoothness and simplicity of her verse — Bertha Stearns
sang with feeling and simplicity — T.L.Peacock
b. : limitation in the use of ornament : austerity , restraint
all garments were white … and of the utmost simplicity in cut and material — American Guide Series: Pennsylvania
the dignity and simplicity of colonial architecture
5.
a. : a simple act, idea, or characteristic
reverence for the simplicities of … rural and village America — Bernard De Voto
the simplicities and certainties of 1914 had given way to … confusions — Times Literary Supplement
b. : an instance or epitome of something simple
the average transatlantic flight is simplicity itself — Richard Joseph