Gallingness

/ˈɡɔːlɪŋnəs/ noun

Definition

The quality or state of being galling; the characteristic of being deeply annoying or frustrating.

Etymology

From 'galling' (adjective) plus the noun-forming suffix '-ness', a common Old English pattern that creates abstract nouns from adjectives to express qualities or states.

Kelly Says

The '-ness' suffix is one of English's oldest and most productive word-building tools—you can add it to almost any adjective, which is why we can talk about the abstract 'gallingness' of a bad situation rather than just calling it 'galling'.

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