crank·i·ness \-kēnə̇s, -kin-\noun (-es) Etymology:cranky (I) + -ness : the quality or state of being cranky: as a.: irritable or unreasonable temper < the fussy crankiness of the dyspeptic > b.: emotional or intellectual perversity or idiosyncrasy < the reader can sometimes glimpse a sort of perverse … crankiness at work — Canadian Forum >