daftness en · NOUN
Pronunciation
- /ˈdæftnəs/ (US)
- /ˈdɑːftnəs/ (UK)
- /ˈdæftnəs/ (UK)
- (Southern-England) audio
Etymology
Etymology tree English daft 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 daftness From daft + -ness.
Meanings
-
(countable, uncountable) Property of being daft.
There's no end to their daftness if they once start on that track. A lawfu' trade's a lawfu' trade, says I, and it's contrary to public policy to pit it at the mercy of wheen cranks. D'ye no agree, sir? By the way, I havena got your name?
1919, John Buchan, “chapter 8”, in Mr Standfast:
- (countable) Something that is daft.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| daftnesses | Number=Plur | lexicographic |