Etymology Edit

1896, American, feist (“small, aggressive dog”) +‎ -y;[1] the term feist (now rare) itself originally meant “stink”, and earlier “fart”, from Middle English, from Old English, from Proto-Germanic, presumably from Proto-Indo-European – see feist for details.

Pronunciation Edit

Adjective Edit

feisty (comparative feistier or more feisty, superlative feistiest or most feisty)

Tenacious, energetic, spunky. Belligerent; prepared to stand and fight, especially in spite of relatively small stature or some other disadvantage. Easily offended and ready to bicker.

Derived terms Edit

Translations Edit

easily offended Czech: svárlivý hašteřivý

Dutch: lichtgeraakt (nl)

Finnish: herkkänahkainen ärhäkkä Georgian: ფხუკიანი ( pxuḳiani ) , ჭირვეული ( č̣irveuli )

, Greek: επιθετικός (el) ( epithetikós ) , εριστικός (el) ( eristikós )

, Portuguese: melindroso (pt)

References Edit