coolness

Meanings

1. Moderate chilliness.
2. Calmness, confidence, or level-headedness.
3. Conflict or hostility or an instance of such that stands in contrast to expected friendliness or interest.
4. Indifference or an instance of indifference; lack of friendliness or interest not necessarily rising to hostility.
5. Social advantage or enviability, typically due to traits like popularity, confidence, skill, or fashion.

Etymology

From Middle English colnes, colnesse, from Old English cōlnes, cœ̄lnes, cēlnes (“coolness; cool air, breeze”), from Proto-West Germanic *kōlinassī, equivalent to cool + -ness. Cognate with Middle High German kuolnisse, küelnisse (“cooling, coolness”).