noun
( -es )
Etymology: Middle English smartnes, from smart + -nes -ness
1. obsolete : something causing smarting pain or distress
2. : the quality or state of being smart in expression, appearance, or movement : liveliness of wit or manner : briskness , snappiness
smartness of an epigram
smartness of a ship
smartness of a uniform
smartness of a salute
smartness of pace
3. : the quality or state of being ultrafashionable, elegant, or sophisticated
smartness of their address
crowd … had a strong coloring of worldly smartness — Thomas Wolfe
the smartness which is a characteristic achievement of most French girls — Frank Brookhouser
4. : adroitness , cleverness , shrewdness
smartness in business
smartness of a scheme
especially : questionable shrewdness where self-interest is affected
a certain degree of unscrupulous smartness — A.L.Guérard