c. 1300, plainnes, "flatness, level ground, flat surface;" late 14c., "smoothness, evenness," from plain (adj.) + -ness. Meaning "clarity, lucidity" is from mid-15c.; that of "open conduct" is from 1540s; that of "absence of ornament" is from 1580s.
the plainness of vanilla ice cream
plaid
plain
plain clothes
plain Jane
plainly
plainness
Plains
plainsman
plain-song
plain-spoken
plaint