fretfulness en · NOUN
Pronunciation
- frĕtʹfəl-nəs
- /ˈfɹɛtfəlnəs/
- (Southern-England) audio
- frĕtʹfəl-nĭs
- /ˈfɹɛtfəlnɪs/
Etymology
Etymology tree English fretful 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 fretfulness From fretful + -ness.
Meanings
- (uncountable, usually) The quality of being fretful, or prone to fretting; an emotional state combining restlessness, anxiety and irritability.
- (dated, qualifier:Of an infant, uncountable, usually) Prone to crying, not sleeping well.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| fretfulnesses | Number=Plur | lexicographic |