I.forward, pert, saucy, impudent, wanton, freakish, petulant.
I. In gen. (class.; “syn.: protervus, lascivus, procax): petulantes et petulci etiam appellantur, qui protervo impetu, et crebro petunt laedendi alterius gratiā,” Fest. p. 206 Müll.: “homo,” Cic. de Or. 2, 75, 305: “effuse petulans,” id. Pis. 5, 10: “animalia,” Gell. 17, 20, 8: “pictura,” Plin. 35, 11, 40, § 140: “petulans et furiosum genus dicendi,” Cic. Brut. 68, 241: “Tarentum,” Juv. 6, 297.—Comp., Arn. 4, 151.—Sup.: “imitatio petulantissima,” Petr. 92.—
II. In partic., wanton, lascivious (class.): “si petulans fuisset in aliquā generosā nobili virgine,” Cic. Par. 3, 1, 20.— Adv.: pĕtŭlanter , pertly, wantonly, impudently, petulantly (class.): “in aliquem invehi,” Cic. Att. 2, 19, 3: “vivere,” id. Cael. 16, 38.—Comp.: “petulantius,” Cic. Cael. 3, 6. —Sup.: “petulantissime,” Cic. Att. 9, 19, 1.
