Word of the Day

: April 20, 2008

petulant

adjective PET-chuh-lunt

What It Means

1 : insolent or rude in speech or behavior

2 : characterized by temporary or capricious ill humor : peevish

petulant in Context

"'What is it all about?' cried Dorian in his petulant way, flinging himself down on the sofa." (Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray)

Did You Know?

"Petulant" is one of many English words that are related to the Latin verb "petere," which means "to go to," "to attack," "to seek," or "to request." "Petere" is a relative of the Latin adjective "petulans" ("impudent"), from which "petulant" was derived. Some other words with connections to "petere" are "compete" and "appetite." "Competere," the Late Latin precursor to "compete," is a combination of the prefix "com-" and the verb "petere." The joining of "ad-" and "petere" led to "appetere" ("to strive after"), and eventually to Latin "appetitus," the source of our "appetite." Additional descendants of "petere" are "petition," "perpetual," and "impetus."