- Uneasily impatient under restriction, opposition, criticism, or delay.
- Resisting control; difficult to control.
- Refusing to move. Used of a horse or other animal.
[Middle English restif, stationary, from Old French, from rester, to remain, from Latin restāre, to keep back : re-, re- + stāre, to stand.]
restively res'tive·ly adv.restiveness res'tive·ness n.
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).
