feisty


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feist·y

 (fī′stē)
adj. feist·i·er, feist·i·est
1. Full of spirit or determination; plucky or spunky: "Feisty, smart, and courageous child protagonists ... populate [her] fictional world" (Carolyn L. Shute). See Note at andiron.
2. Quarrelsome or aggressive: "A bunch of guys got tipsy ... One of them got feisty and starting swinging punches at the others" (Didi Emmons).

[From feist.]

feist′i·ness n.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

feisty

(ˈfaɪstɪ)
adj, feistier or feistiest
1. lively, resilient, and self-reliant
2. US and Canadian frisky
3. US and Canadian irritable
[C19: from dialect feist, fist small dog; related to Old English fīsting breaking wind]
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

feist•y

(ˈfaɪ sti)

adj. feist•i•er, feist•i•est.
1. full of animation, energy, or courage; spirited; spunky; plucky.
2. ill-tempered; pugnacious.
[1895–1900, Amer.; feist + -y1]
feist′i•ly, adv.
feist′i•ness, n.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Adj.1.feisty - showing courage; "the champion is faced with a feisty challenger"
spirited - displaying animation, vigor, or liveliness
2.feisty - quick to take offensefeisty - quick to take offense    
sensitive - being susceptible to the attitudes, feelings, or circumstances of others; "sensitive to the local community and its needs"
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.

feisty

adjective fiery, spirited, active, bold, lively, sparkling, vigorous, energetic, animated, have-a-go (informal), courageous, ardent, game, plucky, high-spirited, sprightly, vivacious, spunky (informal), mettlesome At 66, she was as feisty as ever.
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
Translations

feisty

[ˈfaɪstɪ] ADJ (feistier (compar) (feistiest (superl))) (esp US) (= lively) → animado; (= quarrelsome) → pendenciero
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

feisty

[ˈfaɪsti] adj (= spunky) → fougueux/euse
Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

feisty

adj (+er) (= spirited)robust; (inf: = lively) → lebhaft, lebendig
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
References in periodicals archive ?
They're soft and cute but, with just a squeeze to the back of the head, these interactive plush animals change from sweet to feisty. Choose from an assortment of popular animals, including a bear, dog, cat, and unicorn.
But our feisty heroine has no idea of the secrets being kept by her mother or the effect they will have on the future of the farm.
A "FEISTY" woman of 89 fought off a knife-wielding home raider by hurling a porcelain dog at her.
"Love this show as it's full of feisty women like me talking about issues that women really care about ...
It's going to be a feisty contest, and you can catch all the action live here.
Despite having a reputation of being feisty, the regimental mascot was happy to be stroked by Charles when he visited a military base to mark his 10 years as colonelin-chief of the fighting force.
The Angel of Soriano: An Italian Romance is a steamy story set in Rome in 1489, and tells of a stormy and passionate relationship between the feisty Aurelia Nardini and Spanish heartthrob Borgia Carvajal.
GATESHEAD are unhappy with Liam Hogan's yellow card in Friday's occasionally feisty pre-season friendly win over Darlington at the International Stadium.
FEISTY: Actress O'Hara FLAME-haired Hollywood legend Maureen O'Hara has died aged 95.
PLAYER MOST LIKELY TO MAKE HEADLINES MIKE BROWN The full-back is a feisty and spiky character on the pitch and his aggression can wind up opponents.
HULL boss Steve Bruce expects plenty more "feisty" encounters as the relegation battle hots up between now and the end of the season.
STEVE Bruce expects plenty more 'feisty' encounters as the relegation battle hots up between now and the end of the season.