What is the etymology fo word stinginess?

The word "stinginess" has its roots in the Old English word "stingan", meaning "to prick" or "to pierce".

Here's how the etymology breaks down:

* "Stingan" evolved into "sting", which in Middle English acquired the sense of "to be miserly" or "to be unwilling to give".

* This connection likely arose from the metaphorical association of stinginess with the painful sensation of a sting, suggesting a reluctance to part with something valuable.

* Adding the suffix "-ness" to "sting" created the word "stinginess", indicating the quality of being stingy.

Therefore, the word "stinginess" ultimately derives from the physical sensation of being pricked or pierced, metaphorically representing the painful act of withholding something that is desired or needed.