headstrongnessn.
/ˈhɛdstrɒŋnəs/, U.S. /ˈhɛdˌstrɔŋnəs/, /ˈhɛdˌstrɑŋnəs/ The quality or state of being headstrong; wilfulness, obstinacy; waywardness.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > decision > obstinacy or stubbornness > [noun] > wilfulness
willOE
wilfulnessc1200
wilfulshipc1200
own-willa1225
wilsomenessa1382
wilfulheadc1385
headiness1447
self-willa1450
self-willednessc1450
willerdoma1475
wilfulheadness1485
self-wilfulness1511
sensuality1536
headstrongness1598
self-williness1611
prodigity1623
1598 F. Meres tr. Luis de Granada Sinners Guyde i. xix. 201 This naughty woman..commeth to that malapertnes and headstrongnes, that shee will rule and dominere ouer reason.
1687 W. Penn Som Free Refl. Liberty of Conscience 18 Subjects would not refuse Conformity in things indifferent, with a Headstrongness only excusable in Points most essential.
1741 S. Richardson Pamela IV. lix. 397 A little sort of Perverseness and Headstrongness.
1796 Female Gamester I. xiv. 42 I am astonished to observe this headstrongness.
1827 J. Miller Thoughts Labouring Classes (new ed.) 10 Young persons..are sent into the world..with all the headstrongness of natural inclinations unsubdued and unrestrained.
1867 R. Palmer Life P. Howard 131 He followed out his views with a headstrongness that wrought great troubles.
1914 Boston Med. & Surg. Jrnl. 31 Dec. 1000/2 The vagaries of his old pupil, whose headstrongness and contempt for authority had probably given his teacher many a bad quarter of an hour.
1982 T. Mo Sour Sweet i. 20 If the manner of the mother's death suggested a certain head-strongness, then Miranda had inherited it.
2010 A. Kleeberg Midnight Diamond 163 You need to work on your headstrongness—you've nearly gotten yourself killed.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2013; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1598