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restive

Pronunciation: /ˈrɛstɪv/

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Definition of restive

adjective

(of a person) unable to remain still, silent, or submissive, especially because of boredom or dissatisfaction: the crowd had been waiting for hours and many were becoming restive he reiterated his determination to hold the restive republics together
(of a horse) stubbornly standing still or moving backwards or sideways; refusing to advance: both their horses became restive at once

Derivatives

restively
restiveness

Origin:

late 16th century: from Old French restif, -ive, from Latin restare 'remain'. The original sense, 'inclined to remain still', has undergone a reversal; the association with the refractory movements of a horse gave rise to the current sense 'restless'

restive in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of restive in the US English dictionary

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Other

restive

adjective

Derivatives

restively

restiveness

Origin:

restive in other Oxford dictionaries

Nearby words

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