[f. as prec. + -NESS.] The quality or condition of being troublesome.
† 1. Disturbed or unsettled state; confusion, disorderliness. Obs.
1561. T. Norton, Calvin’s Inst., I. xv. (1634), 79. As though Reason also did not dissent from it selfe…. But … that troublesomenesse proceedeth of the corruption of nature.
1655. Fuller, Ch. Hist., III. iv. § 27. The troublesomness of the times.
1715. in D. D. Black Hist. Brechin (1867), 126. This session taking to their serious consideration the troublesomeness of the times.
† b. Disposition to cause disturbance; turbulence. Obs.
1791. Turnbull, Exp. Jas., 167 b. Prosperous estate … which by brauling, contention and troublesomnes is hindered.
1657. in Eng. Hist. Rev., Oct. (1910), 727. Filled with passion and troublesomness of spirit.
† c. Physically disturbed or agitated state. Obs.
1648. Hexham, II. s.v. Zee, The troublesomenesse, or the swelling of the Sea.
1652–62. Heylin, Cosmogr., IV. (1682), 149. Exposed … to the troublesomeness of sudden tempests.
1658. Rowland, Moufet’s Theat. Ins., 953. By the troublesomenesse of the air they are dispersed hither and thither.
† 2. Trouble, affliction, distress. Obs.
1561. T. Norton, Calvin’s Inst., II. x. (1634), 202. He suffered much troublesomenesse by his childrens wives.
1604. T. Wright, Passions, II. Pref. 47. Troublesomenesse or disquietnesse of the soule.
a. 1639. W. Whateley, Prototypes, II. xxvi. (1640), 44. To inflict disquietment and troublesomenesse upon men in their labour.
3. The quality of giving trouble; vexatiousness, annoying character; toilsomeness; oppressiveness.
1548. Udall, etc., Erasm. Par. Matt. xii. 74. Offended with this importunitie and troublesumnes.
1608. D. T[uvil], Ess. Pol. & Mor., 79. The troublesomnesse of labor.
1630. J. Taylor (Water P.), Heaven’s Blessing, Wks. III. 116/1. For the auoyding of the troublesomenesse of Boats and Wherries.
1764. Harmer, Observ., I. i. 6. Even grammarians derive … summer from a root which points out the troublesomeness of its heats.
1787. W. Marshall, Norfolk, I. 375. Many farmers … dislike the noise and troublesomeness of these animals.
1881. Miss Braddon, Asph., i. 5. With the air of a sinner who gloried in her troublesomeness.
