Disquietude

/dɪsˈkwaɪ.ɪ.tjuːd/ noun

Definition

A state of anxiety, uneasiness, or worry; the feeling of being mentally or emotionally disturbed.

Etymology

From disquiet + -ude (a noun suffix meaning state or condition), combining the verb disquiet with a suffix to create an abstract noun describing the emotional state itself.

Kelly Says

This word became fashionable in 18th-century English literature, appearing frequently in philosophical and romantic works to describe the new psychological focus on inner emotional states—writers loved it!

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.