Pet"u*lant (?), a. [L. petulans, -antis, prop., making slight attacks upon, from a lost dim. of petere to fall upon, to attack: cf. F. p'etulant. See Petition.] 1. Forward; pert; insolent; wanton. [Obs.]
Burton.
2. Capriciously fretful; characterized by ill-natured freakishness; irritable. "Petulant moods."
Macaulay.
Syn. -- Irritable; ill-humored; peevish; cross; fretful; querulous.
© Webster 1913. | 
