restiveness

res·tive  (rstv)

adj.

1. Uneasily impatient under restriction, opposition, criticism, or delay.

2. Resisting control; difficult to control.

3. Refusing to move. Used of a horse or other animal.

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[Middle English restif, stationary, from Old French, from rester, to remain, from Latin restre, to keep back : re-, re- + stre, to stand; see st- in Indo-European roots.]

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restive·ly adv.

restive·ness n.

Usage Note: Restive is properly applied to a feeling of impatience or uneasiness induced by external coercion or restriction, and is not a general synonym for restless: The government has done nothing to ease export restrictions, and domestic manufacturers are growing restive (not restless). The atmosphere in the office was congenial, but after five years I began to grow restless (not restive).

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	restiveness - the anxious feeling you have when you have the jitters jitteriness, jumpiness, nervousness anxiety - a vague unpleasant emotion that is experienced in anticipation of some (usually ill-defined) misfortune
	2.	restiveness - characterized by nervousness and quickness to take fright skittishness nervousness - a sensitive or highly strung temperament