old-womanishness
|old-wom-an-ish-ness|
🇺🇸
/ˌoʊldˈwʊmənɪʃnəs/
🇬🇧
/ˌəʊldˈwʊmənɪʃnəs/
(old-womanish)
having qualities of an old woman (often pejorative)
Etymology
'old-womanishness' originates from English, specifically formed from the adjective 'old-womanish' (itself a combination of 'old woman' + suffix '-ish') with the nominalizing suffix '-ness' meaning 'state or quality'.
'old-womanishness' developed from the compound 'old woman' + the adjectival suffix '-ish' to make 'old-womanish', and then the suffix '-ness' was added to create the noun 'old-womanishness'. The components trace back further: English 'old' from Old English 'eald' and 'woman' from Old English 'wīfmann' (later 'wifman'/'woman').
Initially it would have simply signified 'having the qualities of an old woman,' and over time it has retained that core sense but often taken on a pejorative connotation of fussiness or excessive conventionality.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the quality or state of being like an old woman, especially in being fussy, prudish, crotchety, or overly conventional.
His old-womanishness was obvious in the way he fussed over every small detail.
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Noun 2
a pejorative characterization of behavior considered old-fashioned or excessively conservative, typically attributed to elderly women.
Accusing someone of old-womanishness can be dismissive and insulting.
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Last updated: 2025/09/10 17:25