Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Synonyms
Nearby Words
Definition of petulance - 2 dictionary results

pet⋅u⋅lance

  [pech-uh-luhns]
Use petulance in a Sentence
–noun
1. the state or quality of being petulant.
2. a petulant speech or action.
Origin:
1600–10; < L petulantia impudence. See petulant, -ance
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To petulance
pet·u·lant   (pěch'ə-lənt)   
adj.  

  1. Unreasonably irritable or ill-tempered; peevish.

  2. Contemptuous in speech or behavior.


[Latin petulāns, petulant-, insolent, from petere, to assail; see pet- in Indo-European roots.]
pet'u·lance, pet'u·lan·cy n., pet'u·lant·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see petulance on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way