Meanings
- alternativeuncountableAlternative form of bad-temperedness.
Nerviness is not bad termperedness, it’s the natural symptom of a nervous system which is absolutely tired, or worn out.
1928 May 16, Dr. Cassell, “Do Your Nerves Get on His Nerves? Reasons and Remedy”, in Taunton Courier, Bristol and Exeter Journal, and Western Advertiser, number 6,230, Taunton, Somerset; Bristol, page 4, column 22 more examples
A juvenile correspondent who signed herself “Dimples” proffered the following piece of advice, which was doubtless the outcome of a vast experience: “For bad temperedness and depression, I have found it a good idea to have a cold wash and change of clothing.”
1924 June 7, “Health Confessions of Business Women”, in [Samuel] Squire Sprigge, Egbert [Coleby] Morland, editors, The Lancet. […], volume CCVI, number 5258 / volume I for 1924, number XXIII, London: […] Hazell, Watson & Viney Ld., […], →ISSN, page 1194, column 2They came in irritable, disgruntled, not very pleasant to live with, nervy, moody, Peter like a bear with a sore head, and He gave them fellowship, the charm of His own presence to soothe away their bad temperedness and make them friends again.
1949, Geoffrey R. King, “John’s Epilogue”, in The Forty Days: Studies in the Last Six Weeks of Our Lord’s Earthly Life, from Calvary and Easter to the Ascension, 1st American edition, Grand Rapids, Mich.: W[illia]m B[ernard] Eerdmans Publishing Company, published 1962, page 100
Cite this entry
bad temperedness. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/bad%20temperedness
“bad temperedness.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/bad%20temperedness. Accessed November 4, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “bad temperedness,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/bad%20temperedness.
Source: bad temperedness on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.