crossness

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Jump to navigation Jump to search

English

[edit]

Etymology

[edit]

From cross +‎ -ness.

Noun

[edit]

crossness (countable and uncountable, plural crossnesses)

  1. the state of being cross; mild anger
    • 1863, Dinah Maria Craik, Mistress and maid:
      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 []
    • 1967, Barbara Sleigh, Jessamy, Sevenoaks, Kent: Bloomsbury, published 1993, →ISBN, page 122:
      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.