Emily Dickinson Lexicon

MO-ROSE-NESS, n.

Sourness of temper; sullenness. Moroseness is not precisely peevishness or fretfulness, though often accompanied with it. It denotes more of silence and severity or ill humor, than the irritability or irritation which characterizes peevishness. Learn good humor, never to oppose without just reason; abate some degrees of pride and moroseness. Watts.