cantankerousness en · NOUN
Etymology
Etymology tree English cantankerous 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 cantankerousness From cantankerous + -ness.
Meanings
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(uncountable) The state of being cantankerous.
The gamekeeper was slower to smooth himself down than Solomon; who showed much good-temper, setting himself to make up for a little cantankerousness, in fact growing to be friendly.
1863, George Cupples, Hinchbridge haunted: