{ } n. [ L. petulania: cf. F. pétulance. See Petulant. ] The quality or state of being petulant; temporary peevishness; pettishness; capricious ill humor. “The petulancy of our words.” B. Jonson. [ 1913 Webster ]

Like pride in some, and like petulance in others. Clarendon. [ 1913 Webster ]

The lowering eye, the petulance, the frown. Cowper. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Petulance, Peevishness. -- Peevishness implies the permanence of a sour, fretful temper; petulance implies temporary or capricious irritation. [ 1913 Webster ]