Rĕst'ive, a.
a. [O. Fr. restif, N. Fr. rétif, Pr. restiu, It. restio, for restivo; O. Sp. restivo, from Lat. restare, to stay back, withstand, resist, from re, again, back, and stare, to stand, stay. Cf. RESTIFF and RESTY.]
Sense 1. Inclined or disposed to rest or stand still; especially, unwilling to go, or only running back; obstinate in refusing to move forward; stubborn; as, a restive steed.
The people remarked with awe and wonder that the beasts which were to drag him [Abraham Holmes] to the gallows became restive, and went back. Macaulay.
The word seems originally to have been used of horses that would not be driven forward. “Restive or resty, drawing back, instead of going forward, as some horses do.” Phillips.
Sense 2. Impatient under coercion, chastisement, or opposition; uneasy.