churlish

Adjective

churlish (comparative more churlish, superlative most churlish)

1. Of or pertaining to a serf, peasant, or rustic.
   • […] 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.1996, Jeet Heer, Gravitas, Autumn 1996

   Synonyms:

   rustic

2. Rude, surly, ungracious.
   • [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; […]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...
   • A Churliſh Envious Curr vvas gotten into a Manger, and there lay Growling and Snarling to keep the Horſes from their Provender. The Dog Eat None himſelf, and yet rather Ventur'd the Starving his Own Carcaſe then he would ſuffer any thing elfe to be the Better for't.1692, Roger L’Estrange, “[The Fables of Æsop, &c.] Fab[le] LXXVI. A Dog in a Manger.”, in Fables, of Æsop and Other Eminent Mythologists: […], London: […] R[ichard] Sare, […], →OCLC, page 75

   Synonyms:

   cross-grained, rude, surly, ungracious

3. Stingy or grudging.

   Synonyms:

   grudging, illiberal, miserly, niggardly, stingy

4. Difficult to till, lacking pliancy; unmanageable.
   • Where the bleak Swiss their stormy mansion tread,
     And force a churlish soil for scanty bread.1730–1774, Oliver Goldsmith, Introductory to Switzerland