/ ˈrestɪv; NAmE / adjective
( formal ) unable to stay still, or unwilling to be controlled, especially because you feel bored or not satisfied
► rest·ive·ness noun [ U ]
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WORD ORIGIN
late 16th cent.: from Old French restif , -ive , from Latin restare remain. The original sense, inclined to remain still , has been reversed; the association with the uncontrollable movements of a horse gave rise to the current sense restless .