Dullness
/ˈdʌl.nəs/noun
The quality of being dull, lacking sharpness, brightness, interest, or liveliness.
Did you know?English dull ultimately comes from a Germanic root meaning “blunt” or “stupid,” so dullness began as a physical lack of edge before it became a mood, a mind-state, and a vibe.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*dulaz
“blunt, dull, lacking sharpness”
Old English
OE
dull
“dull, blunt, stupid”
Middle English
ME
dulle
“blunt; dim; sluggish”
14th Century
English
dullness
“the state of being dull or blunt”
Modern English
English
dullness
“lack of sharpness, brightness, interest, or liveliness”