peevishly, adv.
(ˈpiːvɪʃlɪ)
[f. prec. + -ly2.]
In a peevish manner; † foolishly, spitefully, perversely, skittishly (obs.); with petty vexation or discontent; morosely, querulously, petulantly.
| 1530 Palsgr. 840/2 Pevysshely, vergonneusement. 1566 T. Stapleton Ret. Untr. Jewel i. 17 You do but peuishly, to builde your untruth upon that reason. 1580–3 Greene Mamillia Wks. (Grosart) II. 219 An iniurious Gentleman.. who with despightfull taunts hath abused the Gentlewomen of Sicillia, most peeuishlie describing their apparell, and presumptuouslie decyphering their nature. 1601 Shakes. Twel. N. ii. ii. 14 Come sir, you peeuishly threw it to her: and her will is, it should be so return'd. a 1638 Mede Wks. (1672) 1 If they should unwisely disvalue and peevishly reject the whole for some passages not agreeing to their particular Sentiments. 1679 J. Goodman Penit. Pardoned iii. iii. (1713) 310 Men will be always sighing and complaining and peevishly refuse consolation. a 1680 Rochester Song iv. Poems (1790) 17 Then if, to make your ruin more, You'll peevishly be coy. 1762–71 H. Walpole Vertue's Anecd. Paint. (1786) III. 209 Ratcliffe replied peevishly, ‘Tell him he may do any thing with it but paint it’. 1832 H. Martineau Ireland iii. 46 Peevishly complaining of manifold evils that it was impossible to remedy. |