impatient

comparative more impatient · superlative most impatient · alternative inpatient

1. Restless, short of temper, and intolerant of delays.

   She dances when she becomes impatient.

   1 more example

   The impatient man will not give himself time to be informed of the matter that lies before him.

   1712 August 18 (Gregorian calendar), [Joseph Addison; Richard Steele et al.], “THURSDAY, August 8, 1712”, in The Spectator, number 469; republished in Alexander Chalmers, editor, The Spectator; a New Edition, […], volume V, New York, N.Y.: D[aniel] Appleton & Company, 1853, →OCLC

2. Anxious and eager, especially to begin or have something.

   For, if (ſaid he) you throw among five Yahoos as much Food as would be ſufficient for fifty, they will, inſtead of eating peaceably, fall together by the ears, each ſingle one impatient to have all to itſelf; […]

   1726 October 28, [Jonathan Swift], “The Author’s Great Love of His Native Country. […]”, in Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World. […] [Gulliver’s Travels], volume II, London: […] Benj[amin] Motte, […], →OCLC, part IV (A Voyage to the Houyhnhnms), page 258

3. obsoleteNot to be borne; unendurable.

   Dismayed with so defperate deadly wound, And eke impatient of unwonted payne, He lowdly bray'd with beastly yelling sownd

   1590, Edmund Spenser, “Book I, Canto VIII”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC

4. Prompted by, or exhibiting, impatience.

   impatient speeches or replies

   1 more example

   What, will you tear / Impatient answers from my gentle tongue?

   c. 1595–1596 (date written), William Shakespeare, “A Midsommer Nights Dreame”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies: Published According to the True Originall Copies (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene ii], line 287