Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun The state or character of being restless, in any sense.

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

  • noun The state or condition of being restless; an inability to be still, quiet, at peace or comfortable.

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

  • noun a lack of patience; irritation with anything that causes delay
  • noun a feeling of agitation expressed in continual motion
  • noun inability to rest or relax or be still
  • noun the quality of being ceaselessly moving or active

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

restless +‎ -ness

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Examples

  • Is there no excuse then for what they call my restlessness? ...

    The Younger Set 1899

  • Among the more astute there was a certain restlessness, -- an impatience at the restraint of the traces, an indecisive quickness of movement, a sniffing of snouts and pricking of ears.

    An Odyssey of the North 2010

  • Among the more astute there was a certain restlessness, -- an impatience at the restraint of the traces, an indecisive quickness of movement, a sniffing of snouts and pricking of ears.

    An Odyssey of the North 2010

  • I am hopeful that this means I will be well enough to climb tomorrow, because it's been four days since I exercised significantly, and restlessness is setting in.

    can't seem to loosen my grip on the past batwrangler 2008

  • I guess a certain amount of creative restlessness is a good thing, but I wonder if other composers/writers/creative types have this problem.

    Ariettes oubliées Matthew Guerrieri 2006

  • I guess a certain amount of creative restlessness is a good thing, but I wonder if other composers/writers/creative types have this problem.

    Archive 2006-08-01 Matthew Guerrieri 2006

  • There always must be a certain restlessness and friction when two peoples are closely connected in one government.

    Will Britain Retain India? 1921

  • Among the more astute there was a certain restlessness, -- an impatience at the restraint of the traces, an indecisive quickness of movement, a sniffing of snouts and pricking of ears.

    An Odyssey of the North 1900

  • I cannot light upon the passage in the Odyssey, where Penelope's restlessness is compared to the nightingale's, but I am sure it is only as to restlessness that he makes the comparison.

    Rural Hours 1887

  • Lolling around in a state of restlessness is one of life’s greatest luxuries — one not available to creatures that spend all their time pursuing mere survival.

    Boredom ewillett 2010

Comments

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  • When the half light makes for a clearer view

    Sleep a little more if you want to

    But restlessness has seized me now, it's true

    I could watch the dreams flicker in your eyes

    Lying here asleep on a sunbeam

    I wonder if you realize you fascinate me so.

    (Asleep on a sunbeam, by Belle and Sebastian)

    December 30, 2008