pettish

Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word pettish. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word pettish, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say pettish in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word pettish you have here. The definition of the word pettish will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition ofpettish, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.

English

Etymology

From pet +‎ -ish.

Adjective

pettish (comparative more pettish, superlative most pettish)

  1. (informal) Bad-tempered; peevish.
    • 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:
      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.
    • 1891, Thomas Hardy, Tess of the d'Urbervilles:
      She drew a quick pettish breath of objection, writhing uneasily in her seat.

Derived terms

Anagrams