mousinessn.
/ˈmaʊsɪnᵻs/, U.S. /ˈmaʊsinᵻs/ The condition of being mousy.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > cleanness and dirtiness > dirtiness > infestation by noxious creatures > [noun]
lousiness1530
fly-blowing1610
vermiculation1611
pulicosity1656
bugginess1736
mousiness1882
1882 M. A. Paull Thistledown Lodge III. 88 A musty odour joined to the greasiness and mousiness of the apartment.
1979 Washington Post (Nexis) 27 Apr. c1 The intrigue thickens when Talia Shire, projecting her customary grim mousiness, dials someone up and plays ‘You Belong To Me’ into the receiver when a man answers.
1992 M. Bragg Crystal Rooms (1993) (BNC) 158 Besides, she was becoming attractive, the school mousiness remained in manner only.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2003; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1882