Jealousness

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A state of being envious or resentful about the affection or success others receive while exhibiting a possessive concern for what is cherished
2. The emotional experience characterized by feelings of rivalry and suspicion towards others, particularly regarding affection or success, along with a tendency to protect valuables
3. The condition of feeling resentful or suspicious because someone else has something desired, especially in relationships or achievements

Etymology: "Jealousness" is a plain formation: the adjective "jealous" with the suffix "-ness", which turns an adjective into a noun for a state or quality. The adjective came into English from Old French "jalous," itself from Late Latin "zelosus," meaning zealous or eager, and that Greek-rooted sense of ardent devotion is what the English word carried at first. Its oldest meaning was a zealous guarding of something precious, such as a lover's loyalty or a husband's fidelity, before it narrowed toward suspicion and resentment. The noun was formed in Middle English as "jelousnesse," so the suffix was attached to the adjective early in the language's written record. The word has always been the less common of the two forms, with "jealousy" taking over much of its ground, but "jealousness" still names the state of being envious or resentful of another's advantage. Its meaning therefore sits on the same shift as its root, from protective zeal to bitter comparison.

Synonyms: envy, covetousness, resentment

Antonyms: contentment, generosity