outspokenness
UK[ˌaʊtˈspəʊkənnəs]US[ˌaʊtˈspoʊkənnəs]
n
the quality or state of being honest and direct in speech, even when it might be rude or upsetting to others.
Morpheme Breakdown
out
spoken
ness
out
out, outward, beyond, to completion
spoken
uttered in speech
ness
state, quality, condition
Etymology
the word 'outspokenness' is a layered english formation. its core, the verb 'speak', originates from old english 'specan', a common germanic verb for verbal expression. the addition of the prefix 'out-' intensifies the action, creating 'outspeak', an old verb meaning to speak out or declare boldly. the past participle 'outspoken' thus literally means "having spoken out". finally, the old english suffix '-ness', used to form abstract nouns from adjectives, is appended. the complete term, 'outspokenness', therefore logically builds from its morphemes to denote the abstract quality or state of having declared one's thoughts openly and without reserve.
Analysis
Structure: out + spoken + ness
out: (old english, prefix) meaning "out, outward, beyond, to completion".
spoken: (old english, past participle) from the verb 'speak', meaning "uttered in speech".
ness: (old english, noun-forming suffix) meaning "state, quality, condition".
Examples
her outspokenness on environmental issues has earned her both admirers and critics.
the company culture values transparency and outspokenness in meetings.
while his outspokenness was sometimes jarring, it was never dishonest.