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Webster’s Dictionary (1828)

98,828 entries. Headwords are matched first, then definition text.

12 words match “PETULANT”

PETULANT a. 2 definitions
Capriciously fretful; characterized by ill-natured freakishness; irritable. "Petulant moods." Macaulay.
PETULANTLY adv.
In a petulant manner.
BICKER v.
To contend in petulant altercation; to wrangle. Petty things about which men cark and bicker. Barrow.
FLIPPANT a.
nd confidently, without knowledge or consideration; empty; trifling; inconsederate; pert; petulant. "Flippant epilogous." Thomson. To put flippant scorn to the blush. I. Taylor. A sort of flippant, vain discourse. Burke.
HUFFISH a.
Disposed to be blustering or arrogant; petulant. -- Huff"ish*ly, adv. -- Huff"ish*ness, n.
PEEVISH a.
Habitually fretful; easily vexed or fretted; hard to please; apt to complain; querulous; petulant. "Her peevish babe." Wordsworth. She is peevish, sullen, froward. Shak.
PETULANCE; PETULANCY n.
The quality or state of being petulant; temporary peevishness; pettishness; capricious ill humor. "The petulancy of our words." B. Jonson. Like pride in some, and like petulance in others. Clarendon. The lowering eye, the petulance, the frown. Cowper.
PROCACIOUS a.
Pert; petulant; forward; saucy. [R.] Barrow.
SHORT a.
Abrupt; brief; pointed; petulant; as, he gave a short answer to the question.
TESTY a.
Fretful; peevish; petulant; easily irritated. Must I observe you must I stand and crouch Under your testy humor Shak. I was displeased with myself; I was testy. Latimer.
TIFFISH a.
Inclined to tiffs; peevish; petulant.
WASPISH a.
Quick to resent a trifling affront; characterized by snappishness; irritable; irascible; petulant; snappish. He was naturally a waspish and hot man. Bp. Hall. Much do I suffer, much, to keep in peace This jealous, waspish, wrong-head, rhyming race. Pope.