the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English
n. Desperation; virulence.
The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
n. Madness; fury; rash precipitance; violence.
Word Usage
"That relationship might explain why prior to the election Mr. Ritchie waved off evidence of thousands of irregularities on Minnesota voter rolls, claiming that accusations of fraud were nothing more than "desperateness" from Republicans."