restive

Definitions

From Old French restif 'standing still, refusing to move' — rest- here is the 'stay/stand' sense (from Latin stāre via re-stāre). Originally a restive horse was one that balked and refused to go forward. The meaning flipped over time toward the opposite: not the stubborn stillness but the agitated impatience of one held back.

Why It Means This

This is the surprising member: restive looks like 'restful' but means almost the opposite. A restive horse once meant a balky one that wouldn't move; today a restive crowd is one straining to break loose. The link is resistance to control — whether by stubbornly stopping or by restlessly pushing against restraint.

Common Collocations

• 1.grow restive变得焦躁
• 2.restive crowd躁动的人群
• 3.become restive开始躁动

Example Sentences

• 1.

  The crowd grew restive as the delay dragged on.

• 2.

  Troops became restive after months without pay.

• 3.

  Voters are increasingly restive about rising prices.

Easily Confused

restive vs restless — Both mean unable to stay calm, but restive specifically implies impatience under control or restraint (a restive electorate chafing against a government). restless is broader: simply unable to rest or settle (a restless sleeper). And neither is restful (relaxing) — restive is a classic false friend of restful.