petulance

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   Rudeness, insolence.

   [W]ise men knew, that that, which looked like pride in some, and like petulance in others, would, by experience in affairs, and conversation amongst men, both of which most of them wanted, be in time wrought off […].

2. 2
   noun

   An insolent remark or act.

   I believe I was guilty of a petulance, which nothing but my uneasy situation can excuse; if that can.

3. 3
   noun

   Childish impatience or sulkiness; testiness.

   She […] had shown herself angry and sore, and was now ashamed of her own petulance, and yet unable to discontinue it.

4. 4
   noun

   an irritable petulant feeling

From Middle French pétulance, and its source, Latin petulantia.

Topics

External links

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• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary