1560s, "perfection," a sense now obsolete, from absolute (adj.) + -ness. Meaning "unlimited rule" is from 1610s; that of "unconditional quality" is from 1650s.
the absoluteness of the pope's decree could not be challenged
absinthe
absit omen
absolute
absolute zero
absolutely
absoluteness
absolution
absolutism
absolutist
absolve
absorb
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