来自拉丁语petere,祈求，要求，词源同appetite,feather.引申词义过分的，无礼的，不谦虚的。现词义可能是受pettish影响。

1. His critics say he's just being silly and petulant.

批评家说他就是愚蠢和任性。

2. She could be wayward, petulant, and disagreeable.

她有时也会任性 、 脾气很坏 、 很暴躁.

3. He picked the pen up with a petulant gesture.

他生气地拿起那支钢笔。

4. The thing had been remarked with petulant jealousy by his wife.

他太太觉察到这一点时,不由妒火中烧.

5. The expression around her mouth was petulant.

她的嘴角露出一种任性的表情.