ill nature

American  

noun

1. unkindly or unpleasant disposition.

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Etymology

Origin of ill nature

First recorded in 1685–95

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

ill nature

This wrestling has cost the Castigator ill nature, megalomania, nervous breakdowns and the creatures of his forced moods are far less credible, as contemporary humanity, than Hogarth's Gin Alleyites, Swift's Anglo-Lilliputs or even Dante's infernals.

From Time Magazine Archive

Be slow, therefore, to impute bad marks to injustice, or ill nature.

From In the School-Room Chapters in the Philosophy of Education by John S. (John Seely) Hart

It was a part of her unexpectedness that she took the heavy literal view of Nick's behaviour; declared frankly, though without ill nature, that she had no patience with his mistake.

From The Tragic Muse by Henry James

But if the ill nature of the laws has been so cruel as to clap up such fine hearty blades, we are no felons, however.

From The Shepherd of Salisbury Plain and Other Tales by Hannah More

It’s now twa month that I’m your debtor For your braw, nameless, dateless letter, Abusin’ me for harsh ill nature On holy men, While deil a hair yoursel’ ye’re better, But mair profane.

From The Complete Works of Robert Burns: Containing his Poems, Songs, and Correspondence. With a New Life of the Poet, and Notices, Critical and Biographical by Allan Cunningham by Robert Burns

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