pettish en · ADJ
Pronunciation
- (Southern-England) audio
Etymology
Etymology tree English pet Proto-Indo-European *-iskos Proto-Germanic *-iskaz Proto-West Germanic *-isk Old English -isċ Middle English -isch English -ish English pettish From pet + -ish.
Meanings
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(informal) Bad-tempered; peevish.
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.
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:She drew a quick pettish breath of objection, writhing uneasily in her seat.
1891, Thomas Hardy, Tess of the d'Urbervilles:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| most pettish | Degree=Sup | lexicographic | |
| more pettish | Degree=Cmp | lexicographic |