addleness en · NOUN
Etymology
Etymology tree English addle Proto-Germanic *-inōną Proto-Indo-European *-dyé- Proto-Germanic *-atjaną Proto-Indo-European *-tus Proto-Germanic *-þuz Proto-Germanic *-assuz Proto-Germanic *-inassuz Proto-West Germanic *-nassī Old English -nes Middle English -nesse English -ness English addleness From addle + -ness.
Meanings
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(uncountable) The state or quality of being addle.
The "addleness" of these eggs was consequently merely apparent. Their failure to hatch did not result from lack of inherent power of development […]
1872, American Bee Journal, volumes 7-8, page 146: