officiousness

Had she known my wish to have continued unnoticed, she would have abated of what I was so ungrateful as to term officiousness; and which, I thought, if encouraged, would probably increase till it was insupportable.

Vicissitudes in Genteel Life 1794

"Permit me to assure you," cried he, finding I hesitated, "that officiousness is not my characteristic; and that I would by no means have risked your displeasure, had I not been fully satisfied you were too generous to be offended without a real cause of offence."

Evelina: or, The History of a Young Lady's Entrance Into the World 1778

Perhaps, were I acquainted with either, my officiousness might be at an end: but I presume not to ask upon what terms –

Evelina: or, The History of a Young Lady's Entrance Into the World 1778

Instantly he left his position and hastened to my side, offering his assistance and advice with that heartless officiousness which is so unbearable when life and death are at stake.

The Forsaken Inn A Novel Anna Katharine Green 1890

As I stood in the waist, whither so far aft I had followed Jorrocks, I could have caught any words spoken on the poop above me, but I noted that Mr Macdougall didn't utter a syllable in continuance of the reprimand he had begun against the boatswain for his "officiousness," as he apparently considered his order to put the ship off her course.

On Board the Esmeralda Martin Leigh's Log - A Sea Story William Heysham Overend 1874

Evangelists, are frequently observed to attribute to this kind of officiousness expressions which are unquestionably portions of the genuine text.

The Causes of the Corruption of the Traditional Text of the Holy Gospels Being the Sequel to The Traditional Text of the Holy Gospels John William Burgon 1850

For instance, Mrs. Pertonwaithe and Mrs. Wickson exercised tremendous social power in the university town, and from them emanated the sentiment that I was a too-forward and self-assertive young woman with a mischievous penchant for officiousness and interference in other persons 'affairs.

Chapter 6: Adumbrations 2010

Is this a promotion scam, H&S gone mad, over-officiousness or what??

You Heard It Here First (Bulbgate) « POLICE INSPECTOR BLOG Inspector Gadget 2009

I've come to the conclusion that so much of the last 10 years overzealousness, officiousness, PC absurdity, and now this, is because the law enforcers don't really know or understand the law.

Giving evidence to the Chilcot inquiry, Tony Blair said: “I... 2010

In all the bipartisan squabbling, health care reform hoopla, and international officiousness, are we perhaps too complacent about the impact of gang warfare existing in Americans poorest neighborhoods?

Elizabeth Hampton: When Walking to School Is Unsafe Elizabeth Hampton 2010