loathsomeness

English

Etymology

From Middle English lothsomnesse, loþsumnes, lathsumnes; equivalent to loathsome +‎ -ness.

Noun

loathsomeness (countable and uncountable, plural loathsomenesses)

  1. (uncountable) The nature or property that gives rise to revulsion or inspires loathing.
    • 1813, Percy Bysshe Shelley, “Canto I”, in Queen Mab; […], London: […] P. B. Shelley, […], →OCLC, page 2:
      Must putrefaction's breath / Leave nothing of this heavenly sight / But loathsomeness and ruin?
  2. (countable) A loathsome thing.
    • H. P. Lovecraft
      After it raced the naked, tittering, phosphorescent thing that belonged on the carven pedestal, and still farther behind panted the dark men, and all the dread crew of sentient loathsomenesses. The corpse was gaining on its pursuers [...]
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