Main Entry:

tetchy

Pronunciation:

\ˈte-chē\

Function:

adjective

Inflected Form(s):

tetch·i·er; tetch·i·est

Etymology:

perhaps from obsolete tetch habit

Date:

1592

: irritably or peevishly sensitive : touchy <the tetchy manner of two women living in the same house — Elizabeth Taylor †1975>

— tetch·i·ly \-chə-lē\ adverb

— tetch·i·ness \-chē-nəs\ noun