perverseness
(pəˈvɜːsnɪs)
[f. as prec. + -ness.]
The quality of being perverse; the disposition or tendency to act in a manner contrary to what is right or reasonable; obstinate wrongheadedness; refractoriness; corruption, wickedness.
| 1561 T. Norton Calvin's Inst. i. 1 Our owne ignorance,..weaknesse, perversenesse, and corruption. 1644 Milton Judgm. Bucer Wks. 1851 IV. 338 To enforce the innocent and faultles to endure the pain and misery of anothers perversnes. 1741 Richardson Pamela I. 36, I am likely to suffer in my Reputation by the Perverseness and Folly of this Girl. 1814 Cary Dante, Paradise xxvii. Argt., The perverseness of man, who places his will on..perishable things. 1880 E. White Cert. Relig. 60 Corruption..brought in..through the interested perverseness of false teachers. |
b. Contrariness, adverseness; unfavourableness.
| 1748 Anson's Voy. ii. iii. 152 They were..delayed by the perverseness of the winds. 1777 Sheridan Sch. Scand., Portrait, By fate's perverseness, she alone Would doubt our truth. |