vindictiveness

2 definitions found

vindictiveness - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Vindictive \Vin*dic"tive\, a. [For vindicative, confused with L.
     vindicta revenge, punishment, fr. vindicare to vindicate. Cf.
     Vindicative.]
     1. Disposed to revenge; prompted or characterized by revenge;
        revengeful.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              I am vindictive enough to repel force by force.
                                                    --Dryden.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. Punitive. [Obs.]
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Vindictive damages. (Law) See under Damage, n.
        [1913 Webster] -- Vin*dic"tive*ly, adv. --
        Vin*dic"tive*ness, n.
        [1913 Webster]

vindictiveness - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  vindictiveness
      n 1: a malevolent desire for revenge [syn: vindictiveness,
           vengefulness]