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.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English restif, stationary, from Old French, from rester, to remain, from Latin restre, to keep back : re-, re- + stre, to stand; see st- in Appendix I.
OTHER FORMS:
restive·ly —ADVERB restive·ness —NOUN
USAGE NOTE:
Restive is properly applied to a feeling of impatience or uneasiness induced by external coercion or restriction, and is not a general synonym for restless:The government has done nothing to ease export restrictions, and domestic manufacturers are growing restive (not restless). The atmosphere in the office was congenial, but after five years I began to grow restless (not restive).
r
s
t
v
re, to keep back : re-, re- + st
