Word of the Day 4.8.09
petulance
pet·u·lant (p
ch
-lnt)
adj.
1. Unreasonably irritable or ill-tempered; peevish.
2. Contemptuous in speech or behavior.
[Latin petul
ns, petulant-, insolent, from petere, to assail; see pet- in Indo-European roots.]
petu·lance, petu·lan·cy n.
petu·lant·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2003. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Noun |
1. |
petulance – an irritable petulant feelingill humor, ill humour, distemper – an angry and disagreeable moodtestiness, tetchiness, touchiness – feeling easily irritatedpet – a fit of petulance or sulkiness (especially at what is felt to be a slight) |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2008 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
