1590s, "immodest, wanton, saucy," from Middle French petulant (mid-14c.), from Latin petulantem (nominative petulans) "wanton, froward, saucy, insolent," present participle of petere "to attack, assail; strive after; ask for, beg, beseech" (see petition (n.)). Meaning "peevish, irritable" first recorded 1775, probably by influence of pet (n.2). Related: Petulantly.
雙語例句
1. His critics say he's just being silly and petulant.
批評家說他就是愚蠢和任性。
來自柯林斯例句
2. She could be wayward, petulant, and disagreeable.
她有時也會任性 、 脾氣很壞 、 很暴躁.
來自《簡明英漢詞典》
3. He picked the pen up with a petulant gesture.
他生氣地拿起那支鋼筆。
來自辭典例句
4. The thing had been remarked with petulant jealousy by his wife.