Complaintful

/kəmˈpleɪntfəl/ adjective

Definition

Full of complaints; characterized by frequent or abundant complaining.

Etymology

From 'complaint' (a statement of dissatisfaction) + '-ful' (Old English suffix meaning 'full of'). The '-ful' suffix literally means 'full of' and combines with nouns to make adjectives, as in 'handful' or 'joyful'.

Kelly Says

The '-ful' suffix is archaic here—modern English would more likely say 'complaining' or 'complaint-ridden,' showing how productive word-building strategies from older English sometimes fall out of favor.

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