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.
-- Frac"tious*ly, v. -- Frac"tious*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]