Grimness

There is a certain grimness, too, about the discreet initials which in shop language are used to denote the six sizes of woman – X.O.S., ❋ Unknown (1938)

I don't think this 'grimness' is just a female author/novels thing. ❋ Glenda Larke (2010)

There was no exultation in Arthur, only a kind of grimness, as if he had accepted some burden which he must bear whether he wanted to or not. ❋ Norton, Andre (1975)

Mrs. Armitage, his cook, has given tales of his "grimness" to the cottages where her comfortable presence is welcomed on Sunday and ❋ Unknown (1925)

At first I felt a kind of grimness, and then I was thrilled by the thought that perhaps the end of the war might be near. ❋ Frederick Augustus Voigt (1924)

And his voice sank with a kind of grimness into silence. ❋ Unknown (1915)

Orange prize 'grimness' is not the fault of women novelists ❋ Unknown (2010)

Fed up: Orange Prize judge Daisy Goodwin complained that the novels she read to compile her shortlist were full of 'grimness' ❋ Unknown (2010)

Another worker at a cable-television network, this one in his early 30's, bemoaned the end of carefree office video-gaming: "You know the whole freak scene, the unsaid kind of grimness that happens in any place where there's a computer network and freaks? ❋ Unknown (2001)

"Yes," said John, with a kind of grimness; "that's what's extraordinary. ❋ Henry Harland (1883)

Her reputation for comedy works in the film's favour as Tyrannosaur's grimness is perhaps overly familiar ground for Considine and Mullen. ❋ Unknown (2012)

The topical grimness is piled so high it's almost laughable, but it's strikingly shot, and Bardem carries his burden with dignity. ❋ Unknown (2011)

And in what was admittedly the least convincing fake kidnap scenario ever, Torchwood sensibly allowed a few light-hearted capers to shine through the unrelenting grimness. ❋ Unknown (2011)

It was enlivened—from Effie's point of view—by Ruskin's friendship with the rising young star Millais and oppressed by the almost pantomime grimness of her in-laws, who considered her a spoiled child. ❋ D.J. Taylor (2011)

Lena sighed and adjusted her mouth, removing as much of the grimness as she could. ❋ Carol Edgarian (2011)

A survivor of the deadly Soviet front, he reopened the cafe in 1945 to a cold and hungry clientele that reflected the grimness of those years. ❋ Unknown (2011)