Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • In a pettish manner; with a freak of ill temper.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adverb In a pettish manner; peevishly.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • adverb in a petulant manner

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

pettish +‎ -ly

Support

Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word pettishly.

Examples

  • Young birds called pettishly for food from the bushes.

    Field and Hedgerow Being the Last Essays of Richard Jefferies Richard Jefferies 1867

  • “Yes, and Flanders also lies in that direction,” Minta agreed pettishly.

    The Mistaken Wife Rose Melikan 2010

  • “You cannot wish to be married,” she said, a tad pettishly.

    Shameless KAREN ROBARDS 2010

  • “You cannot wish to be married,” she said, a tad pettishly.

    Shameless KAREN ROBARDS 2010

  • “Yes, and Flanders also lies in that direction,” Minta agreed pettishly.

    The Mistaken Wife Rose Melikan 2010

  • “Yes, and Flanders also lies in that direction,” Minta agreed pettishly.

    The Mistaken Wife Rose Melikan 2010

  • "Why didn't you bring her?" he demanded pettishly.

    Isabelle Estelle Bruno 2010

  • Her expression as she pumps the last rounds into Hammond's already dying body--then tosses the revolver pettishly aside when it runs out of ammo--is ice cold; her explanation "He tried to make love to me and I shot him" is a lie, and she knows it.

    Roundup Lisa Hirsch 2009

  • “I am not — I am not — I am not wise,” replied the horticulturist, pettishly, and stopping his ears with his fingers — “I was never called wise but when men wanted to engage me in some action of notorious folly.”

    The Abbot 2008

  • “Oh, remember — remember,” said the old man pettishly;

    The Abbot 2008

Comments

Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.

  • CD&C says with a freak of ill temper.

    December 4, 2011