disquietude

plural disquietudes

1. uncountableusuallyA state of disquiet, uneasiness, or anxiety.

   in utter disquietude touching such an issue

   5 more examples

   One would think there should be something wonderfully pleasing in the Possession of Fame, that, notwithstanding all these mortifying Considerations, can engage a Man in so desperate a Pursuit; and yet if we consider the little Happiness that attends a great Character, and the Multitude of Disquietudes to which the Desire of it subjects an ambitious Mind, one would be still the more surprised to see so many restless Candidates for Glory.

   1711 December 24, Joseph Addison, The Spectator, number 256

   […]but Mr Blifil said, he had received such positive and repeated orders from his uncle, never to keep any secret from him for fear of the disquietude which it might give him, that he durst not think of disobedience, whatever might be the consequence.

   1749, Henry Fielding, The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling, volume V, London: A[ndrew] Millar, […], →OCLC, book VIII

   He was at length called forth, and set apart by fasting and prayer to the ministerial office, which he executed with faithfulness and success during a long course of years; though frequently with the greatest trepidation and inward disquietude.

   1795, "The Life of John Bunyan," in the Collins Clear-Type Press ed. of The Pilgrim's Progress, p. xiv

   For with Rosilia, to the regret of the past and self-accusation, was added the contemplation of a dark futurity, seldom affording a gleam of hope to cheer and solace her disquietude.

   1838, [Letitia Elizabeth] Landon (indicated as editor), chapter XIII, in Duty and Inclination: […], volume II, London: Henry Colburn, […], →OCLC, page 182

   The lawyer stood awhile when Mr. Hyde had left him, the picture of disquietude.

   1886 January 5, Robert Louis Stevenson, “Search for Mr. Hyde”, in Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, London: Longmans, Green, and Co., →OCLC, page 25

2. countableusuallyA fear or an instance of uneasiness.

   The cares and disquietudes of the marriage-state, quoth Mrs. Wadman, are very great.

   1813, Laurence Sterne, The works of Laurence Sterne: with a life of the author, volume 2, page 347