Tantrum
(noun)
- A fit of anger, especially one characterized by petulant or childish behavior.
- A sudden, brief outburst of strong emotion, such as anger or frustration.
- A display of temper or frustration, typically by a child.
Origin:
From middle english tantrumb, tantrume, tantroun, from old english tǣntrūn, equivalent to tan- ("to rage") + -tron ("a noun suffix denoting a state or action"). cognate with middle dutch tantroun ("outburst of anger"), german tobsucht ("fury, rage").
Examples:
- The child threw a tantrum when his toy was taken away.
- She had a tantrum when she was told she couldn't go to the party.
- The customer had a tantrum when he saw the bill.
- The little boy's tantrum was so bad that it took half an hour to calm him down.
- The politicians' tantrum on the floor of the legislature was a spectacle to behold.