churl
English
Etymology
From Middle English churl, cherl, cheorl, from Lua error in Module:parameters at line 290: Parameter "sc" should be a valid script code; the value "Latinx" is not valid. See WT:LOS., from Proto-Germanic *karilaz (“man, elder”), from Proto-Indo-European *ǵerh₂- (“grown-up, old, mature”). Cognate with Scots churl (“a churl, a rustic”), North Frisian tzierl, tjierl, tsjerl (“fellow, man, churl”), West Frisian tsjirl (“fellow, churl”), Dutch kerel (“man, churl, fellow”), Low German kerl, kerel, kirl (“man, fellow, churl”), German Kerl (“man, fellow”), Swedish karl (“man, fellow”), Icelandic karl (“a male”), Polish karzeł (“a small man”). The deprecating sense developed by 1300. The variant carl, carle (without a derogatory connotation) is a loan from the Old Norse cognate.
Pronunciation
- Lua error in Module:parameters at line 290: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "RP" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. IPA(key): /tʃəːl/
- Lua error in Module:parameters at line 290: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "GA" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. IPA(key): /tʃɜɹl/
Audio (US): (file) - Rhymes: -ɜː(r)l
Noun
churl (plural churls)
- A rustic; a countryman or labourer; a free peasant (as opposed to a serf).
- 1858, Ralph Waldo Emerson, The Adirondacs":
- Your rank is all reversed; let men of cloth
- Bow to the stalwart churls in overalls:
- They are the doctors of the wilderness,
- And we the low-priced laymen.
- 1859 George Meredith, The Ordeal of Richard Feverel, Chapter 9:
- “A see T’m Baak’ll,” the Bantam recommenced, and again the contortions of a horrible wink were directed at Richard. The boy might well believe this churl was lying, and he did, and was emboldened to exclaim—
- “You never saw Tom Bakewell set fire to that rick!”
- 1858, Ralph Waldo Emerson, The Adirondacs":
- A rough, surly, ill-bred person; a boor.
- Sir Philip Sidney
- A churl's courtesy rarely comes, but either for gain or falsehood.
- Sir Philip Sidney
- A selfish miser; an illiberal person; a niggard.
- 1594, Michael Drayton. "The Legend of Miltilda the Fair":
- like to some rich churl hoarding up his pelf […] }
- 1597, William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet (Quarto I), [Act V, sc. 3] (Juliet to poison that killed Romeo):
- Ah churle drinke all, and leaue no drop for me.
- 1609, William Shakespeare, Sonnet 1:
- Within thine own bud buriest they content
- And, tender churl, mak'st waste in niggarding.
- 1611, King James Version, Isaiah 32:5:
- The vile person shall be no more called liberal, nor the churl said to be bountiful.
- 1768, Laurence Sterne, A Sentimental Journey Through France and Italy, "Calais":
- […] when a few words will rescue misery out of her distress, I hate the man who can be a churl of them.
- 1594, Michael Drayton. "The Legend of Miltilda the Fair":
- (Theodism) A freedman, ranked below a thane but above a thrall.
Derived terms
Translations
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- English terms inherited from Middle English
- English terms derived from Middle English
- English terms inherited from Proto-Germanic
- English terms derived from Proto-Germanic
- English terms derived from Proto-Indo-European
- English 1-syllable words
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- Rhymes:English/ɜː(r)l
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