feisty

== English == === Etymology === 1896, American, feist (“small, aggressive dog”) +‎ -y; 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 === IPA(key): /ˈfaɪsti/ Rhymes: -aɪsti === Adjective === 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 ==== ==== Translations ==== === References === === Anagrams === fiesty