Americaness

noun

Amer·​i·​can·​ess

plural -s

old-fashioned, dated

: an American woman

With such expectations, then, every true American and Americaness was expected to be at his or her post, for the solemn occasion.

—James Fenimore Cooper, Home as Found, 1839

Word History

First Known Use

1838, in the meaning defined above

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

• More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
• Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
• Advanced search features
• Ad free!