shrewishness

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

shrewishness
    n 1: a nature given to nagging or scolding

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Shrewish \Shrew"ish\, a.
   having the qualities of a shrew; having a scolding
   disposition; froward; peevish.
   [1913 Webster]

         My wife is shrewish when I keep not hours. --Shak.
   [1913 Webster] -- {Shrew"ish*ly}, adv. -- {Shrew"ish*ness},
   n.
   [1913 Webster]