Fractious \Frac"tious\, a. [Cf. Prov. E. frack forward, eager,
   E. freak, fridge; or Prov. E. fratch to squabble, quarrel.]
   Apt to break out into a passion; apt to scold; cross;
   snappish; ugly; unruly; as, a fractious man; a fractious
   horse.

   Syn: Snappish; peevish; waspish; cross; irritable; perverse;
        pettish. -- {Fractious*ly}, v. -- {Fractious*ness}, n.
        
[1913 Webster]