different between petulance vs protervity

English

Etymology

From Middle French pétulance, and its source, Latin petulantia.

Noun

petulance (countable and uncountable, plural petulances)

1. (obsolete) Rudeness, insolence. [16th–19th c.]
   • 1704, Edward Hyde, The History of the Rebellion and Civil Wars in England:

     [W]ise men knew, that that, which looked like pride in some, and like petulance in others, would, by experience in affairs, and conversation amongst men, both of which most of them wanted, be in time wrought off […].

2. (obsolete) An insolent remark or act. [17th–19th c.]
   • 1748, Samuel Richardson, Clarissa, Letter 69:

     I believe I was guilty of a petulance, which nothing but my uneasy situation can excuse; if that can.

3. Childish impatience or sulkiness; testiness. [from 18th c.]
   • 1857, Anthony Trollope, Barchester Towers, Volume the Second, page 29 ?ISBN

     She had not done this, but had shown herself angry and sore, and was now ashamed of her own petulance, and yet unable to discontinue it.

Synonyms

• (childish impatience or sulkiness) moodiness, caprice, capriciousness, tetchiness, arbitrariness, viciousness

Translations

English

Etymology

Latin protervitas, from protervus (“violent, wanton”).

Noun

protervity (countable and uncountable, plural protervities)

1. (rare) wantonness; waywardness; petulance; peevishness
   • Samson Lennard: Of Wisdom, bk.I,ch.XXXV, 1651:

     A vain and frail protervity, an envious prattling.

Translations