fretful

• fretfull (archaic)

From fret +‎ -ful.

• IPA^(key): /ˈfɹɛtfəl/

• Audio (US):

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• Rhymes: -ɛtfəl

fretful (comparative more fretful, superlative most fretful)

1. Given to fretting.
   1. Unable to relax: fidgety; restless; worried; anxious.
   2. Irritable; bad-tempered; grumpy; peevish.

      Antonyms: calm, meek, patient, forbearing, contented, resigned, uncomplaining

      Near-synonyms: fractious, petulant, waspish, impatient, angry, annoyed

      • c. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene v], page 257, column 2:

        I could a Tale vnfold, vvhoſe lighteſt vvord / VVould harrovv vp thy ſoule, freeze thy young blood, / Make thy tvvo eyes like Starres, ſtart from their Spheres, / Thy knotty and combined locks to part, / And each particular haire to ſtand an end, / Like Quilles vpon the fretfull Porpentine: […]

      • 1910 November – 1911 August, Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden, New York, N.Y.: Frederick A[bbott] Stokes Company, published 1911, →OCLC:

        It was another cry, but not quite like the one she had heard last night; it was only a short one, a fretful, childish whine muffled by passing through walls.

• fretfully
• fretfulness
• unfretful

• truffle