Worrits

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. To becomes anxious or agitated ; to worry persistently ; to gnaw or fret constantly at something
2. Displaying repeated unease or distress ; expressing ongoing nervousness ; persistently biting or tugging at an object
3. Exhibiting continual fretfulness ; showing signs of persistent anxiety ; chewing or worrying at something over and over

Etymology: "Worrits" is the plural of "worrit," a dialectal alteration of "worry" that dates to the 19th century. The change from "worry" to "worrit" follows a pattern common in regional English speech, where the final vowel of a word was often softened or altered in rural and local pronunciation. Speakers in some areas, particularly in parts of Britain and the English-speaking world, adopted the altered form in everyday talk, and it came to be used for the nagging, persistent anxieties that a worrit represents. The plural "worrits" simply describes several such anxieties or a collection of worries. Its use in informal and dialect writing reflects the speech patterns of those who used the variant, rather than any change in meaning from the standard "worry."

Synonyms: anxieties, concerns, fears, uneasiness, apprehensions

Antonyms: calmness, peace, serenity, confidence, assurance