pawkiness

English

Etymology

From pawky +‎ -ness.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈpɔːkɪnəs/

Noun

pawkiness (plural pawkinesses)

1. The quality of being pawky.
2. (Scotland, Northern England, Ireland) Something that is pawky; something arch or shrewd; a subtlety.
   • 1924, Ford Madox Ford, Some Do Not... (Parade's End), Penguin, published 2012, page 12:

     But to wallow in your own phrases, to be rejoiced by the savour of your own shrewd pawkinesses, to feel your rhythm balanced and yet sober – that is a pleasure beyond most, and an inexpensive one at that.