feisty
From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Etymology
1896, American, feist (“small, aggressive dog”) + -y;[1] the term feist (now rare) itself originally meant “stink”, and earlier “fart”, from Middle English, from Old English, from Proto-Germanic, presumably from Proto-Indo-European – see feist for details.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ˈfaɪsti/
Audio (Southern England): (file) - Rhymes: -aɪsti
Adjective
feisty (comparative feistier or more feisty, superlative feistiest or most feisty)
- Tenacious, energetic, spunky.
- (Can we add an example for this sense?)
- Belligerent; prepared to stand and fight, especially in spite of relatively small stature or some other disadvantage.
- (Can we add an example for this sense?)
- Easily offended and ready to bicker.
- (Can we add an example for this sense?)
Derived terms
Translations
tenacious
|
belligerent
|
easily offended
|
References
- Douglas Harper (2001–2024) “feisty”, in Online Etymology Dictionary.
Anagrams
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