retiringness

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Indeed the note, some would say the fault, of Keble's whole life was an almost morbid retiringness, which made him in 1827 refuse even to compete with Hawkins for the Provostship of Oriel.

From A History of Nineteenth Century Literature (1780-1895) by Saintsbury, George

She says— I think a partial solution for the circumscribed fame of Mrs. Shelley as a writer may be traced to her own shrinking and sensitive retiringness of nature.

From The Life and Letters of Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, Volume II (of 2) by Marshall, Florence A. Thomas

But might not this very retiringness, this tendency to avoid the others and spend her time alone, indicate that she too was troubled?

From The Enchanted April by Elizabeth

Shy when they ought to have been bold, and bold where a modest retiringness would better have become them.

From The First Violin A Novel by Fothergill, Jessie