a. [ L. petulans, -antis, prop., making slight attacks upon, from a lost dim. of petere to fall upon, to attack: cf. F. pétulant. See Petition. ] 1. Forward; pert; insolent; wanton. [ Obs. ] Burton. [ 1913 Webster ]
2. Capriciously fretful; characterized by ill-natured freakishness; irritable. “Petulant moods.” Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]
Syn. -- Irritable; ill-humored; peevish; cross; fretful; querulous. [ 1913 Webster ]
adv. In a petulant manner. [ 1913 Webster ]