inappositeness

inappositeness

English

Etymology

From inapposite +‎ -ness.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ɪnˈapəzɪtnəs/

Noun

inappositeness (uncountable)

1. The state or quality of not being apposite.
   • 1898, George William Erskine Russell, Collections and Recollections‎:

     And certainly an apt quotation is one of the most effective decorations of a public speech; but the dangers of inappositeness are correspondingly formidable.

   • 1908, Charles Whibley, American Sketches‎:

     To men and women excited by the details of the last murder they discourse of the existence of God in short, crisp sentences,--and I know not which is worse, the triviality of the discourse or its inappositeness.

   • 1982, Lawrence Durrell, Constance, Faber & Faber 2004 (Avignon Quintet), p. 718:

     ‘And then, your uncle made an inaugural speech at his first press conference which was of fantastic inappositeness.’