fractious
UK[ˈfrækʃəs]US[ˈfrækʃəs]
adj
(typically of children) irritable and quarrelsome.
adj
(of a group or organization) difficult to control; unruly.
Morpheme Breakdown
fract
ious
fract
break
ious
adjective suffix
Etymology
the word fractious is built upon the latin root 'fract-', which means 'to break'. this root is shared by many english words like fracture, fraction, and fragile, all carrying the core idea of breaking. the suffix '-ious' transforms the noun concept into an adjective, implying a state or quality. therefore, fractious literally means 'characterized by breaking', which evolved metaphorically to describe a person or group prone to 'breaking' good behavior, discipline, or peace, leading to its modern meanings of irritability and unruliness.
Analysis
Structure: fract (break) + ious (adjective suffix)
fract (from latin 'fractus', past participle of 'frangere' meaning 'to break'); ious (a latin-derived adjectival suffix meaning 'full of' or 'characterized by').
Examples
the long car journey made the children tired and fractious.
the fractious committee could not reach a consensus on the new policy.
after missing his nap, the toddler became increasingly fractious.