Unseemlinesses

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The quality of being inappropriate or unbecoming in behavior or appearance
2. the state of acting in a way that is socially unacceptable or improper
3. the condition of displaying a lack of decorum or refinement in various situations

Etymology: Unseemliness is a plural noun form in this case, so it is the plural of "unseemliness," which names the quality of being unseemly, meaning unbecoming or improper. The base adjective "unseemly" combines "un-," a negating prefix, with "seemly," meaning fitting, proper, or suitable. "Seemly" descends from Old English roots connected to the idea of seeming or appearing fitting, so an unseemly act is one that fails to look right for the occasion. The noun is built by adding the suffix "-ness" to "unseemly," a common English pattern that turns an adjective into a noun describing a state or quality. The "-ness" ending traces back to Old English "-nes," which was used the same way to form abstract nouns from adjectives. Its plural, "unseemlinesses," is used when speakers refer to several separate improper acts or displays rather than to the general quality.