churlish
English
Etymology
From Middle English churlysshe, cherlissh, from late Old English ċeorlisċ, ċierlisċ (“of or pertaining to churls”), equivalent to churl + -ish.
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): /ˈtʃɜːlɪʃ/
- Lua error in Module:parameters at line 290: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "US" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. IPA(key): /ˈtʃɝːlɪʃ/
Audio (US): (file) Audio (AU): (file) - Rhymes: -ɜː(r)lɪʃ
Adjective
churlish (comparative more churlish, superlative most churlish)
- Of or pertaining to a serf, peasant, or rustic.
- 1996, Jeet Heer, Gravitas, Autumn 1996
- [...] the eloquence and truth of his tribute stands in marked contrast to Kramer's churlish caricature of Kael as a happy pig wallowing in the dirt.
- Synonym: rustic
- 1996, Jeet Heer, Gravitas, Autumn 1996
- Rude, surly, ungracious. [from late 14th c.]
- Synonyms: cross-grained, rude, surly, ungracious
- 1605, Francis Bacon, “The First Booke”, in The Twoo Bookes of Francis Bacon. Of the Proficience and Aduancement of Learning, Diuine and Humane, London: […] [Thomas Purfoot and Thomas Creede] for Henrie Tomes, […], →OCLC, folio 11, recto:
- [A]nd it is without all controuerſie, that learning doth make the minds of men gentle, generous, maniable, and pliant to gouernment; whereas Ignorance makes them churlish[,] thwart, and mutinous; [...]
- Stingy or grudging.
- (of soil) Difficult to till, lacking pliancy; unmanageable.
- 1730–1774, Oliver Goldsmith, Introductory to Switzerland
- Where the bleak Swiss their stormy mansion tread,
- And force a churlish soil for scanty bread.
- 1730–1774, Oliver Goldsmith, Introductory to Switzerland
Related terms
Translations
of or pertaining to a serf
rude or surly
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stingy or grudging
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(of soil) difficult to till, lacking pliancy; unmanageable
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Categories:
- English terms inherited from Middle English
- English terms derived from Middle English
- English terms inherited from Old English
- English terms derived from Old English
- English terms suffixed with -ish
- English 2-syllable words
- English terms with IPA pronunciation
- English terms with audio links
- Rhymes:English/ɜː(r)lɪʃ
- English lemmas
- English adjectives
- English terms with quotations