First Known Use: 1598
Dictionary
petulant
adjective pet·u·lant \ˈpe-chə-lənt\
: having or showing the attitude of people who become angry and annoyed when they do not get what they want
Full Definition of PETULANT
1
: insolent or rude in speech or behavior
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Examples of PETULANT
- Oxford's denial of her [Margaret Thatcher's] honorary degree in 1984 was no petulant fluke but an accurate measure of her unpopularity with the whole profession. —Harold Perkin, Times Literary Supplement, 26 June 1992
- In the hot, petulant little cockpit she was triumphant—drunk with anger, defiance, and the beginnings of relief. —Sebastian Faulks, Independent on Sunday (London), 25 Nov. 1990
- Sometimes, under … rapid-fire questioning, he became petulant and quibbled over words in a way that suggested a close reading of the law. —Frances FitzGerald, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 1989
- Mouth petulant but its hardness in it, behind it. Looking at that mouth you felt her teeth in you … —Jayne Anne Phillips, Black Tickets, (1975) 1979
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Origin of PETULANT
Latin or Middle French; Middle French, from Latin petulant-, petulans; akin to Latin petere to go to, attack, seek — more at feather
PETULANTLY Defined for Kids
petulant
adjective pet·u·lant \ˈpe-chə-lənt\
Definition of PETULANT for Kids
: often in a bad mood : cross
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