c. 1600, "insolence, immodesty," from French pétulance (early 16c.), from Latin petulantia "sauciness, impudence," noun of quality from petulantem (see petulant). Meaning "peevishness" is recorded from 1784, from influence of pettish, etc. It displaced earlier petulancy (1550s).
权威例句
1. His petulance made her impatient.
他的任性让她无法忍受。
2. He tore up the manuscript in a fit of petulance.
他一怒之下把手稿撕碎了.
3. Control yourself , sir. These outbursts of petulance are not seemly.
您哪, 就克制点吧. 这么使性子可不像话.
4. Zeus's pride and petulance became more and more intolerable.