English Explanatory Dictionary

restive

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Impatient under delay, duress, or control.
  2. Resistant to control; stubborn.
  3. Refusing to move, especially in a forward direction.

Pronunciation

/ˈɹɛstɪv/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-restive.wav

Word forms

restive more restive most restive

Etymology

Modification of earlier restiff, from Middle English restyf, from Old French restif, from rester (“to stay, remain”), from Latin restō. * Shares an etymology with rest ("to remain," obsolete) *Merriam-Webster states that this word was originally used to describe horses that disobeyed commands. Presumably, then, the word came to mean fidgety or anxious more broadly.

Synonyms

anxious champing at the bit fidgety restless uneasy disobedient rebellious recalcitrant refractory uncooperative unruly balky

Derived words

restively restiveness unrestive
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