Fractious \Frac"tious\, 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]