subs. (American).—Generally in such phrases as ‘pure CUSSEDNESS,’ the ‘CUSSEDNESS of things,’ etc. Mischievousness, or resolution, or courage may be implied; but in the Coventry plays CURSYDNESSE signified sheer wickedness and malignity.
1871. JOHN HAY, ‘Jim Bludso of the Prairie Belle,’ in Pike County Ballads.
| Through the hot, black breath of the burnin’ boat | |
| Jim Bludsoe’s voice was heard, | |
| And they all had trust in his CUSSEDNESS, | |
| And knowed he would keep his word. |
1886. Detroit Free Press, Aug. A more mischievous boy never came under my observation. Pure CUSSEDNESS was spread out all over him.
1888. A. C. GUNTER, Mr. Potter of Texas (Ry. ed.), p. 122. The extraordinary belief he had of transatlantic blood-thirstiness, scalping, and general CUSSEDNESS, engendered by these books.
1890. Notes and Queries, 7 S., ix., 29 March, p. 244. To swear at something when ‘the CUSSEDNESS of things’ manifests itself in any specially exasperating shape seems to be recognised as a necessity by a large majority of the adult male population of the globe.
1890. Pall Mall Gazette, 22 May, p. 4, col. 2. The cause of the difficulty is the pestilent CUSSEDNESS of the working man.
