Despisableness

/dɪˈspaɪzəbəlnəs/ noun

Definition

The quality or state of being worthy of contempt or scorn.

Etymology

From despisable + -ness (Old English suffix making abstract nouns). This technical noun form appeared in formal English during the 17th-18th centuries.

Kelly Says

Adding -ness to adjectives was such a productive English pattern that people could create dozens of new words this way—despisableness is rare now because we just say 'contemptibility' instead.

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