petulance
[pech-uh-luh ns]
Origin of petulance
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for petulance
Contemporary Examples
Fortunately, Boehner has elected to ignore this display of petulance and continue with his landmark attempt to sue the president.
The 19-year-old pop star, petulance personified, is acting out.
The line captures the intriguing paradox that is West, a mélange of petulance, bombast, unintentional—or intentional?
Except for a bit of petulance directed toward Stephanopoulos and a bit of pique directed at Huntsman, Romney maintained his cool.
Historical Examples
"But I can't see——" Aggie began to argue with the petulance of a spoiled child.
Within the LawMarvin Dana
Hagar forgot her petulance, and became curious as any white woman.
Good IndianB. M. Bower
"I wish I could be as cool-headed as Thomas," she said, with a tinge of petulance.
Good IndianB. M. Bower
She must have been really kind, for she never resented any petulance or carelessness.
Wilfrid CumbermedeGeorge MacDonald
The gloom and petulance that had collected upon his countenance were dissipated in a moment.
ImogenWilliam Godwin
Word Origin and History for petulance
n.
c.1600, "insolence, immodesty," from French pétulance (early 16c.), from Latin petulantia "sauciness, impudence," noun of quality from petulantem (see petulant). Meaning "peevishness" is recorded from 1784, from influence of pettish, etc. It displaced earlier petulancy (1550s).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper