restive

adj

Etymology: Modification of earlier restiff, from Middle English restyf, from Old French restif, from rester (“to stay, remain”), from Latin restō. * Shares an etymology with rest ("to remain," obsolete) *Merriam-Webster states that this word was originally used to describe horses that disobeyed commands. Presumably, then, the word came to mean fidgety or anxious more broadly.

1. Impatient under delay, duress, or control.

   “The horses were now more restive than ever, and Johann was trying to hold them in.”

   “[...] news of their defeat had spread across the countryside and made the animals on the neighbouring farms more restive than ever.”

2. Resistant to control; stubborn.

   “Yet I am of Opinion, this Defect ariſeth chiefly from a perverſe, reſtive Diſpoſition. For they are cunning, malicious, treacherous and revengeful.”

3. Refusing to move, especially in a forward direction.