Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun The state or quality of being rude.
  • noun Crudeness; roughness; clumsiness.
  • noun Inelegance: lack of refinement or polish; uncouthness; awkwardness.
  • noun Humble position; rusticity; low life.
  • noun Barbarism; lack of civilization or enlightenment; ignorance.
  • noun Coarseness of manners or conduct; boorishness; churlishness; discourtesy; incivility.
  • noun Roughness of weather; tempestuousness; storminess; inclemency.
  • noun Impetuosity; brunt; fierceness: as, the rudeness of a conflict.
  • noun Synonyms Ruggedness.
  • noun Impertinence, Effrontery, etc. (see impudence), surliness, impoliteness, uncouthness.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun Property of being rude.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun a wild or unrefined state
  • noun a manner that is rude and insulting

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

rude +‎ -ness

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Examples

  • Adeline thought the term rudeness a harsh one, as La Motte applied it, but she forebore from any expression of displeasure.

    The Romance of the Forest 2004

  • 'And a good master he'll be, though he's a bit too polite, and down upon what he calls rudeness, which is only our way,' said one of the young men.

    Sarah's School Friend May Baldwin

  • COOPER: I assume it's fair to say you have never seen this kind of level what you call rudeness of, I guess, anger in a public forum like this.

    CNN Transcript Aug 12, 2009 2009

  • COOPER: I assume it's fair to say you've never seen this kind of level of what you called rudeness of, I guess, anger in a public forum like this.

    CNN Transcript Aug 12, 2009 2009

  • "Does it occur to _you_ that what you call rudeness may be exactly the sort of wholesome irritant needed by people of your class?"

    V. V.'s Eyes Henry Sydnor Harrison 1905

  • Chiselhurst's town house, for you must remember there was her husband in the background -- a violent man, as you have said; and Lord Donal must have thoroughly angered the Princess by what you term his rudeness in tearing off her glove; and now the Princess will never admit that she was at the ball, so it seems to me that you are wasting your time in a wild goose chase.

    Jennie Baxter, Journalist Robert Barr 1881

  • As between the governor and the Indian orator, the savage had shown himself by far the more mannerly; yet so unwilling were the Indians to break with the English that on the next morning, seeing Shute about to re-embark, they sent messengers to him to apologize for what they called their rudeness, beg that the English flag might be returned to them, and ask for another interview, saying that they would appoint another spokesman instead of Wiwurna, who had given so much offence.

    A Half Century of Conflict - Volume I France and England in North America Francis Parkman 1858

  • If it had been a Democrat that had done the same thing to President Bush he would have already been tarred and feathered but Republicans think their rudeness is just fine.

    Wilson supporters to House Democrats: Bring it on 2009

  • No. But the question of rudeness is the subject of thispost.

    The Volokh Conspiracy » Disagreement Need Not Equal Discourtesy 2010

  • In fact, in many cases, rudeness is preferable silence.

    The Volokh Conspiracy » Discourteous to Wear American Flag Images on Cinco de Mayo? 2010

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