ˈtestē, -ti adjective
( -er/-est )
Etymology: Middle English testif, from Anglo-French, heady, headstrong, from Old French teste head (from Late Latin testa skull) + -if -ive — more at tester
1. : having a quick temper : easily annoyed : irritable , waspish
a testy man, given to incalculable fits of temper — Adrienne Koch
became testy when a long-winded doctor of divinity overprayed the time allotted to him on a commencement program — A.W.Long
2. : marked by or indicative of impatience or ill humor : caustic , exasperated
a somewhat testy emphasis on contemporary barbarians — H.A.Finch
made testy noises with her tongue — Nigel Dennis
Synonyms: see irascible