Restive meaning

rĕstĭv
adjective
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Refusing to go forward; balky, as a horse.
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The definition of restive is someone who feels nervous when criticized or controlled, or a person or animal that stubbornly refuses to move forward.

An increasingly impatient child who is become more tense and unruly is an example of someone who would be described as restive.

A horse that won't move forward no matter how much you pull on the reins is an example of a horse that would be described as restive.

adjective
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Refusing to move. Used of a horse or other animal.
adjective
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Hard to control; unruly; refractory.
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Nervous or impatient under pressure or restraint; restless; unsettled.
adjective
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Resistant of control; stubborn.
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Refusing to move, especially in a forward direction.
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Origin of restive

  • Middle English restif stationary from Old French from rester to remain from Latin restāre to keep back re- re- stāre to stand stā- in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

Restive Sentence Examples

  • The consultants are getting a bit restive about their negotiations.

  • Under this arrangement British Columbia became exceedingly restive, holding the Dominion to the engagement by which it had been induced to enter the union.

  • As often happens, the horses of a convoy wagon became restive at the end of the bridge, and the whole crowd had to wait.

  • That was a man in hunting costume, and he rode a spirited and restive horse.

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Words near restive in the Dictionary