staleness en · NOUN
Etymology
Etymology tree English stale 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 staleness From stale + -ness.
Meanings
-
(uncountable) The state or quality of being stale.
James Bond suddenly knew that he was tired. He always knew when his body or his mind had had enough and he always acted on the knowledge. This helped him to avoid staleness and the sensual bluntness that breeds mistakes.
1953, Ian Fleming, “The Secret Agent”, in Casino Royale, London: Pan Books, published 1955, page 7:
- (countable) The result or product of being stale.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| stalenesses | Number=Plur | lexicographic |