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.

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