[1605–15; child + -ness]This word is first recorded in the period 1605–15. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: ferrule, independent, pivot, series, turnover-ness is a suffix attached to adjectives and participles, forming abstract nouns denotingquality and state. Other words that use the affix -ness include: carsickness, consciousness, nothingness, responsiveness, rockiness