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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Fretful \Fret"ful\, a. [See 2d {Fret}.]
Disposed to fret; ill-humored; peevish; angry; in a state of
vexation; as, a fretful temper. -- {Fret"ful*ly}, adv. --
{Fret"ful*ness}, n.

Syn: Peevish; ill-humored; ill-natured; irritable; waspish;
captious; petulant; splenetic; spleeny; passionate;
angry.

Usage: {Fretful}, {Peevish}, {Cross}. These words all
indicate an unamiable working and expression of
temper. Peevish marks more especially the inward
spirit: a peevish man is always ready to find fault.
Fretful points rather to the outward act, and marks a
complaining impatience: sickly children are apt to be
fretful. Crossness is peevishness mingled with
vexation or anger.
[1913 Webster]