Weariness is a noun meaning "the state of being tired; fatigue of body or spirit". Historically, it is from weary (Old English wērig 'tired, exhausted', from Proto-Germanic *wōrīgaz) plus the noun-forming suffix -ness. The visible construction is part of the etymology: weariness is not just an unanalyzed simple word. The modern meaning, "the state of being tired; fatigue of body or spirit", follows the base word through the added English ending. The historical chain links Old English wērig with Proto-Germanic *wōrīgaz. Close English family members include weary, weariful, and wearisome.