crossness

English

Etymology

From cross +‎ -ness.

Noun

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.