nefariousness en · NOUN
Etymology
Etymology tree English nefarious 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 nefariousness From nefarious + -ness.
Meanings
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(uncountable) The state or characteristic of being nefarious.
Thus the eye of Justice may not be said to have winked upon the nefariousness now under its vision.
1899, Booth Tarkington, chapter 7, in The Gentleman From Indiana:
Translations (2)
fr infamie (state or characteristic) · fr malfaisance (state or characteristic)