onlyhood

English

Alternative forms

• onlihood

Etymology

From Middle English *onlihod, (attested only as onlyhede, onlihed, onlihede), equivalent to only +‎ -hood.

Noun

onlyhood (uncountable)

1. the condition of being unique, single, or alone

   Synonyms: aloneness, onliness, uniquity; see also Thesaurus:solitude, Thesaurus:uniqueness

   • 1963, The Critic - Volume 21, Issue 4:

     For artists their work objectifies their yearning for love, "thatched" as we all are "in a thicket of loneliness, huddled in onlyhood."

   • 1985, American Demographics - Volume 7:

     Despite the stereotype of an only child who is selfish, spoiled, and lonely, the positive effects of onlyhood may be stronger than the negative.

   • 1989, Cosmopolitan - Volume 207:

     “But now lots of Zachary's friends are only children. The social stigma once attached to onlyhood is gone."

   • 2008, Deborah Siegel, Daphne Uviller, Only Child:

     “The anthology encapsulates the complexities of onlyhood... in a way that makes this a great read, even for people who didn't grow up with a plethora of imaginary friends to keep them company... […]