restiff

The Colonel, being an old soldier, and thoroughly acquainted with his work, is especially restiff under the authority of an officer so poorly fitted for his position as our

Red-Tape and Pigeon-Hole Generals As Seen From the Ranks During a Campaign in the Army of the Potomac William H. Armstrong

They are both earnest men, have both made heavy sacrifices to enter the service, and have never failed in duty, although, like most volunteer officers of spirit, they are somewhat restiff under authority.

Red-Tape and Pigeon-Hole Generals As Seen From the Ranks During a Campaign in the Army of the Potomac William H. Armstrong

She is a fruitful vessel, and seldom fails in her annual tribute to the honours of the family; and, sooth to say, Frank is reputed to be somewhat restiff under these multiplying blessings.

Swallow Barn, or A Sojourn in the Old Dominion. In Two Volumes. Vol. I. 1832

One of the horses of the last team was restiff, and it became necessary to restrain him by an additional curb before we ventured into the streets of London.

Recollections of Europe James Fenimore Cooper 1820

The vaults of the old Laird's cellar had not, even in his own day, been replenished with more excellent wines; the only difficulty was to prevail on Meg to look for the precise liquor you chose; -- to which it may be added, that she often became restiff when she thought a company had had "as much as did them good," and refused to furnish any more supplies.

St. Ronan's Well Walter Scott 1801

In short, my dear, like a restiff horse, (as I have heard described by sportsmen,) he pains one's hands, and half disjoints one's arms, to rein him in.

Clarissa Harlowe; or the history of a young lady — Volume 1 Samuel Richardson 1725

The earlier English spelling was restif or restiff and was later assimilated to the - ive adjectives.

VERBATIM: The Language Quarterly Vol XIII No 3 1986

The vaults of the old Laird’s cellar had not, even in his own day, been replenished with more excellent wines; the only difficulty was to prevail on Meg to look for the precise liquor you chose; — to which it may be added, that she often became restiff when she thought a company had had “as much as did them good,” and refused to furnish any more supplies.

Saint Ronan's Well 2008

No, my Lord; the safe principle is to keep the tenant two or three gales behind, and if he fails in submission, or turns restiff, and becomes openly contumacious, then you have the means of rectifying the errors of his judgment in your own hands, and it can be done with the color of both law and justice, behind which any man may stand without the imputation of harsh motives, or an excessive love of subordination.

Valentine M'Clutchy, The Irish Agent The Works of William Carleton, Volume Two William Carleton 1831

In short, my dear, like a restiff horse, (as I have heard described by sportsmen,) he pains one’s hands, and half disjoints one’s arms, to rein him in.

Clarissa Harlowe 2006