tantrum

From earlier tanterum. Further etymology unknown. Possibly from Tamil தந்திரம் (tantiram, “stratagem, cunning, ruse, tactic, trickery”).

• IPA^(key): /ˈtæntɹəm/

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tantrum (plural tantrums)

1. An often childish display or fit of bad temper.

   Many parents become embarrassed by their children throwing tantrums in public places.

   Baby Shawn threw a tantrum when he was told the bicycle was not his.

   • 2003, Saralea E. Chazan, Simultaneous Treatment of Parent and Child, page 185:

     When he became frustrated, he threw a tantrum, and his mother would attempt to comfort him.

• (childish display of bad temper): dummy spit, hissy fit, see also Thesaurus:tantrum

• temper tantrum
• throw a tantrum

tantrum (third-person singular simple present tantrums, present participle tantruming or tantrumming, simple past and past participle tantrumed or tantrummed)

1. (intransitive) To have a tantrum.