Definition of "splenditude"

All this “magnificent idea,” the splenditude, the majesty of this is derived from the Bible.

1850, [Hugh] M‘Neile, Special Report. The Rev. Dr. M‘Neile’s Speech on the Papal Aggression. Delivered at Exeter Hall, on Tuesday, December 17th, 1850., London: C. Westerton, […], page 5

General Washington, in all the brightness of his fame, and all the splenditude of his popularity invested, besides, with the dignity of the Presidential office, when he came to the Senate, by appointment, to consult respecting a treaty, was, indeed, received by them standing uncovered, as in the present case, but even he was not attended and introduced as La Fayette has been, by a committee of the most venerable members of the Senate.

1886 January 13, “[Old People.] ”, in The Wilmington Journal, volume XVIII, number 41, Washington, O., page 7, column 1

Now persons who are not clasified among those whom we have alluded to, have their own ideas on social subjects, and realise that billiard and card playing, loafing around pubs., patronising a play (when opportunity offers) with one’s “best girl,” and in the splenditude of Sunday attire, with a high collar and all the etceteras of masherdom, imagining that it is only a case of “look and conquer,” do not sum up the whole happiness in life.

1895 December 18, “Amusements”, in The Macleay Argus, number 656, Kempsey, N.S.W., page

It is practically a comic opera, possessing a splenditude of the daintiest and most catchy music of the season.

1901 November 29, “[Amusements.] That Funny Girl from Paris.””, in Evening Report, volume XII, number 24, Lebanon, Pa., page 4, column 2

The Gleeful Splenditude / in three acts

1904 November 28, The Daily Democrat, volume 1, number 54, Tulsa, Indian Territory, page

It is a magnificent equipage, valued at more than $2,000. It was built in Concord, N. H., in 1875, but recently was renovated into its earlier condition of splenditude.

1925 September 24, “Epochal Picture as Old West Rides in Review; Complete Awards Are Given for Greatest Poultry Show of West; […]”, in The Bulletin, volume XI, number 207, Pomona, Calif., section two, page one, column 1

Speaking of culture reminds me of Dr. Ripley. There’s a God’s man. Yet I have known some of his people to use him as Exhibit C in an array to prove the splenditude of this our fair city.

1926, Metropolitan Pulpit and Homiletic Monthly, volume 91, page 279, column 2

And we two gazed till Love’s sublimity nooned on our eyes with efflorescent splenditude of light and white effulgence of tranquillity.

1936, Roibeárd Ó Faracháin, “[Joy] Ere they be dimmed”, in Thronging Feet, London: Sheed & Ward, page 53

It seems at first blush that English poetry grew to its splenditude in a myth void, that it was entirely individual.

1959, Patrick Kavanagh, “Nationalism and literature”, in Nonplus, numbers 1–4, page 8

Talented computer people are often ineffective managers of human resources and organisations may finish up with a large computer system throbbing power and splenditude (and eating money at a prodigious rate) with but a small elite who can use it effectively.

1977 August, J D Hainsworth, “Educational Computing in WA Technical Education”, in Proceedings of the Digital Equipment Computer Users Society, volume 3, number 5, page 1533, column 1

‘And now you’re free of your terrible burden, Your Splenditude, what are you going to do?’ said Snivelwurst.

1991, Philip Pullman, Count Karlstein or The Ride of the Demon Huntsman, Corgi Yearling Books, published 1998, page 81

If you really want to debate the existence of Greys, fairies, Spears of Destiny, government coverups, a single honest brain cell in Erich von Daniken's head, crop circles, pyramid power, the alien-inspired mathematical splenditude of Stonehenge, the professional nature of Mack's psychology sessions, or any other paranormal topic, why don't you do the honest thing and take it where it belongs: sci.skeptic?

1998 October 5, David Wareing, “Award for the most contrived retcon of 1998”, in aus.sf (Usenet)

What I saw Saturday night was an excess of Young Dude Splenditude — lots of the aforementioned fancy vests, coats with five to seven buttons, shirts with little black ribbons for ties, or no ties at all.

1999 May 8, Mike Redmond, “Teen-age boys in their tuxes put fashion in a new light”, in The Indianapolis Star/The Indianapolis News, page E1, column 1

It is not I who am good, it is merely the splenditude of such a damsel as you that makes me seemeth that way.

1999 June 21, Dale, “Reality check”, in alt.cuddle (Usenet)

That shinning[sic] example of splenditude known as AJ Rimmer

2001 January 11, AJ Rimmer, “Red Dwarf, American Style”, in alt.tv.red-dwarf (Usenet)

So, why can't we see you in all your glorious splenditude holding Cousin It?

2001 January 16, Me, “acceptable risks”, in soc.support.fat-acceptance (Usenet)

I can imagine your bookshelf sighing contentedly under the weight of so much splendidness (splenditude? splendidity?)

2001 April 23, 18ck, “Recommended books and stories.”, in alt.fan.wodehouse (Usenet)

Err, okay... the number of times someone says the word "fuck" is a criteria in how highly you rate a film? "Dude... brahs... the movie would have been pure suckage, total craptitude... but they dropped 5,000 F-bombs, so it totally reeked of splenditude and tremendosity!".

2001 August 26, Steve D. Perkins, “(ot) Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back”, in rec.sport.pro-wrestling (Usenet)

There is a program out there called ClearDesk. It hides your icons so your desktop can be viewed in all its glory and splenditude.

2004 October 18, Tim Thibeault, “Hereby *RESOLVED*...”, in alt.bad.clams (Usenet)

Nay mon caballero I am unworthy to even shine the lofty shoes of the paragon of splenditude we know and love as that dude, Ace*

2010 October 14, Las Vegas Don, in Vegas!, “Time to nominate the AVLV poster of the year!”, in alt.vacation.las-vegas (Usenet)

Sometimes I let the splenditude of this place distract me from the tasks at hand.

2016, Paul Jenkins, chapter 3, in Curioddity, New York, N.Y.: St. Martin’s Press, page 57

A selected few of them exploded in supernoval splenditude and degenerated into neutron stars.

2019, Richard L. Newell, “Episode Three: Tale of the Telltale Tail”, in Patriot Children: A Four-Part Family-Oriented Science Fiction Mystery Novel; Upholding Time-Honored Judeo-Christian Traditions and Values, page 187