He deplored her behaviour, "capriciousness, peevish faces and sharp words". Despite this sometimes peevish and obsessive nature, Vladimir would seem to have a carnal side. And a peevish and snarling Mary Astor turns up in the role. Kate, a child of the city, is peevish and unhappy. Peevish, boyish, but loyal, Ying is one of Son's closest childhood friends. Another guest, Mr Emerson, interrupts their "peevish wrangling" by spontaneously offering to swap rooms. I am so peevish about it, that I have no patience. Elliott received a patent for this "Peevish" system in 1947. He now plays in the electronica group Amish 82 and the blues band Peevish Penfriend.