pettish

English

Etymology

From pet +‎ -ish.

Adjective

pettish (comparative more pettish, superlative most pettish)

1. (informal) Bad-tempered; peevish.
   • 1795, Joseph Addison, “An Essay on Card-playing”, in Interesting Anecdotes, Memoirs, Allegories, Essays, and Poetical Fragments; Tending to Amuse the Fancy, and Inculcate Morality, page 67:

     Indeed I would advise every single lady, if possible, to attend her inamorato, pretty frequently at the card table; and however genteel and agreeable his behaviour should be to herself, if he is hasty or pettish with any one else in company, she may depend on the same fate when once the knot is tied.

   • 1891, Thomas Hardy, Tess of the d'Urbervilles:

     She drew a quick pettish breath of objection, writhing uneasily in her seat.

Derived terms

• pettishness

Anagrams

• the pits