Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

crossness

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: 1.34 in modern English

Syllables: cross-ness
IPA

11

Scrabble Score

9

Letters

2

Syllables

6

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

the state of being cross; mild anger

Countable; Uncountable

Example Sentences

"Elizabeth […] wished he were beside her, and was so glad to think he would soon be beside her always, with all his humours and weaknesses, all his little crossnesses and complainings[…]"
"At any other time Jessamy would have laughed at the expressions that chased each other over his freckled face: crossness left over from his struggle with the baby; incredulity; distress; and finally delight."

Etymology

Etymology tree English cross 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 crossness From cross + -ness.

Usage

Inflected Forms

crossnesses (plural)

Synonyms

crabbiness crabbedness irritability fretfulness fussiness peevishness petulance choler

Questions

What does crossness mean?: the state of being cross; mild anger
Where does crossness come from?: Etymology tree English cross 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 crossness From cross + -ness.

How to pronounce crossness

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