restive

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. adjective being in a tense state
  2. adjective impatient especially under restriction or delay

Etymology

Modification of earlier restiff, from Middle English restyf, from Old French restif, from rester (“to stay, remain”), from Latin restō. * Shares an etymology with rest ("to remain," obsolete) *Merriam-Webster states that this word was originally used to describe horses that disobeyed commands. Presumably, then, the word came to mean fidgety or anxious more broadly.

In classic literature

Synonyms

edgy, high-strung, highly strung, jittery, jumpy, nervy, overstrung, uptight

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