directness

noun

Etymology: Etymology tree English direct Proto-Germanic *-inōną Proto-Indo-European *-dyé- Proto-Germanic *-atjaną Proto-Indo-European *-tus Proto-Germanic *-þuz Proto-Germanic *-assuz Proto-Germanic *-inassuz Proto-West Germanic *-nassī Old English -nes Middle English -nesse English -ness English directness From direct + -ness.

1. The state or quality of being direct.

   “He hesitated, and then flung out the question almost with a passionate directness: "What was it, sir; in God's name, what was it?"”