Fretfully

Fretfully
Fretful Fret"ful, a. [See 2d {Fret}.] Disposed to fret; ill-humored; peevish; angry; in a state of vexation; as, a fretful temper. -- {Fret"ful*ly}, adv. -- {Fret"ful*ness}, n.

Syn: Peevish; ill-humored; ill-natured; irritable; waspish; captious; petulant; splenetic; spleeny; passionate; angry.

Usage: {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. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • fretfully — fretful ► ADJECTIVE ▪ anxious or irritated. DERIVATIVES fretfully adverb fretfulness noun …   English terms dictionary

  • fretfully — adverb in a fretful manner fretfully, the baby tossed in his crib • Derived from adjective: ↑fretful …   Useful english dictionary

  • fretfully — adverb see fretful …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • fretfully — See fretful. * * * …   Universalium

  • fretfully — adverb in a fretful manner …   Wiktionary

  • fretfully — adv. worriedly; agitatedly; angrily, irritably …   English contemporary dictionary

  • fretfully — fret·ful·ly …   English syllables

  • fretful — fretfully, adv. fretfulness, n. /fret feuhl/, adj. disposed or quick to fret; irritable or peevish. Also, fretsome /fret seuhm/. [1585 95; FRET1 + FUL] Syn. petulant, querulous, impatient, testy. * * * …   Universalium

  • Cankeredly — Can kered*ly, adv. Fretfully; spitefully. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Crossly — Cross ly, adv. Athwart; adversely; unfortunately; peevishly; fretfully; with ill humor. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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