fretfulness
NounOpen English WordNet
Noun (1)
- an irritable petulant feelingSynonyms: irritabilitycrossnessfussinesspeevishnesspetulancecholerType of ill humor, ill humourKinds testiness, pet
What does it mean? Question 1 of today’s quiz
Webster's Dictionary (1913)
“fretfulness” is listed under Fretful.
Origin: See 2d Fret.
Disposed to fret; ill-humored; peevish; angry; in a state of vexation; as, a fretful temper. — Fret′wb-a1′>′ful·ly, adverb — Fret′wb-a1′>′ful·ness, noun
Synonyms: Peevish; ill-humored; ill-natured; irritable; waspish; captious; petulant; splenetic; spleeny; passionate; angry. — Fretful, Peevish, Cross. These words all indicate an unamiable working and expression of temper. Peevish marks more especially the inward spirit: a peevish man is always ready to find fault. Fretful points rather to the outward act, and marks a complaining impatience: sickly children are apt to be fretful. Crossness is peevishness mingled with vexation or anger.
Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54