Breadth (?), n. [OE. brede, breede, whence later bredette, AS. brdu, fr. brad broad. See Broad, a.]

1.

Distance from side to side of any surface or thing; measure across, or at right angles to the length; width.

2. (Fine Arts) The quality of having the colors and shadows broad and massive, and the arrangement of objects such as to avoid to great multiplicity of details, producing an impression of largeness and simple grandeur; -- called also breadth of effect.

Breadth of coloring is a prominent character in the painting of all great masters. Weale.

© Webster 1913.