Definitions
Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
- n. The character of being officious; readiness or eagerness to render unsolicited service; well-intentioned meddlesomeness; superserviceableness.
Wiktionary
- n. The quality of being officious
WordNet 3.0
- n. aggressiveness as evidenced by intruding; by advancing yourself or your ideas without invitation
Examples
“Had she known my wish to have continued unnoticed, she would have abated of what I was so ungrateful as to term officiousness; and which, I thought, if encouraged, would probably increase till it was insupportable.”
“Permit me to assure you," cried he, finding I hesitated, "that officiousness is not my characteristic; and that I would by no means have risked your displeasure, had I not been fully satisfied you were too generous to be offended without a real cause of offence.”
Evelina: or, The History of a Young Lady's Entrance Into the World
“Perhaps, were I acquainted with either, my officiousness might be at an end: but I presume not to ask upon what terms –”
Evelina: or, The History of a Young Lady's Entrance Into the World
“Instantly he left his position and hastened to my side, offering his assistance and advice with that heartless officiousness which is so unbearable when life and death are at stake.”
“As I stood in the waist, whither so far aft I had followed Jorrocks, I could have caught any words spoken on the poop above me, but I noted that Mr Macdougall didn't utter a syllable in continuance of the reprimand he had begun against the boatswain for his "officiousness," as he apparently considered his order to put the ship off her course.”
“Evangelists, are frequently observed to attribute to this kind of officiousness expressions which are unquestionably portions of the genuine text.”
“Is this a promotion scam, H&S gone mad, over-officiousness or what??”
“For instance, Mrs. Pertonwaithe and Mrs. Wickson exercised tremendous social power in the university town, and from them emanated the sentiment that I was a too-forward and self-assertive young woman with a mischievous penchant for officiousness and interference in other persons 'affairs.”
“I've come to the conclusion that so much of the last 10 years overzealousness, officiousness, PC absurdity, and now this, is because the law enforcers don't really know or understand the law.”
Giving evidence to the Chilcot inquiry, Tony Blair said: “I...
“In all the bipartisan squabbling, health care reform hoopla, and international officiousness, are we perhaps too complacent about the impact of gang warfare existing in Americans poorest neighborhoods?”
The Huffington Post: Elizabeth Hampton: When Walking to School Is Unsafe
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