tetchiness en · NOUN
Etymology
Etymology tree English tetchy 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 tetchiness From tetchy + -ness.
Meanings
-
(uncountable, usually) The quality of being tetchy, or irritable
Through it all she exudes tetchiness, weariness and a general contempt for everything in sight.
2009 January 18, Charles Isherwood, “Hedda Forever: An Antiheroine for the Ages”, in New York Times:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| tetchinesses | Number=Plur | lexicographic |