Dictionary entry

Waspish

Webster's Dictionary 1913

Wasp″ish (?), a. 1. Resembling a wasp in form; having a slender waist, like a wasp.

2. Quick to resent a trifling affront; characterized by snappishness; irritable; irascible; petulant; snappish.

He was naturally a waspish and hot man. Bp. Hall.

Much do I suffer, much, to keep in peace

This jealous, waspish, wrong-head, rhyming race. Pope.

Syn. — Snappish; petulant; irritable; irascible; testy; peevish; captious.

— Wasp″ish‐ly, adv. — Wasp″ish‐ness, n.