restlessness

noun

Etymology: Etymology tree Proto-Germanic *rastō Proto-West Germanic *rastu Old English ræst Proto-Indo-European *lewh₁- Proto-Indo-European *lewHs-der. Proto-Germanic *leusaną Proto-Germanic *lausaz Proto-Germanic *-lausaz Proto-West Germanic *-laus Old English -lēas Old English ræstlēas Middle English restles English restless Proto-Germanic *-in- Proto-Indo-European *-h₂ Proto-Indo-European *-éh₂ Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *-eh₂yéti Proto-Indo-European *-h₂ti Proto-Germanic *-ōną 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 restlessness From restless + -ness.

1. The state or condition of being restless; an inability to be still, quiet, at peace or comfortable; a feeling of discomfort with stillness causes by anxiety, boredom or other emotions.

   “She sat and fidgeted out of restlessness as she waited.”

   “With nothing to occupy his attention, Mr Enniscorthy began to manifest an unhappy restlessness that increased until the play had been proceeding for some few minutes.”