1. Uneasily impatient under restriction, opposition, criticism, or delay.
2. Resisting control; difficult to control.
3. Refusing to move. Used of a horse or other animal.
"It may have produced an unfavorable effect," said the physician, growing restive and taking up his gloves.
She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain ball.
As often happens, the horses of a convoy wagon became restive at the end of the bridge, and the whole crowd had to wait.
restive
Re: restive
The first and third meanings are almost opposites. I suspect that the first meaning arose from a confusion with "restless".1. Uneasily impatient under restriction, opposition, criticism, or delay.
2. Resisting control; difficult to control.
3. Refusing to move. Used of a horse or other animal.
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