restive
UK: ˈrɛstɪv | US: ˈrɛstɪv
adj. 1. (of a person or animal) unwilling to be controlled or patient; stubbornly resisting authority.
adj. 2. restless or fidgety, especially due to impatience or dissatisfaction.
Originally, "restive" described a horse refusing to move forward (from the idea of "resisting" control). Over time, it broadened to describe people who are uncooperative or impatient, retaining the core idea of resistance. The shift from literal (horse behavior) to figurative (human behavior) reflects the word's logical progression.
The restive crowd grew louder as the speech dragged on.
The restive horse refused to obey its rider’s commands.
After hours of waiting, the children became restive and began fidgeting.
The restive employees demanded changes to the company’s policies.
His restive behavior during meetings often disrupted the discussion.