cross-grained
Americanadjective
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having the grain running transversely or diagonally, or having an irregular or gnarled grain, as timber.
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stubborn; perverse.
adjective
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(of timber) having the fibres arranged irregularly or in a direction that deviates from the axis of the piece
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perverse, cantankerous, or stubborn
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of cross-grained
First recorded in 1640–50
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He wrote, “You possess all the attributes of a demagogue: a screeching, horrible voice; a perverse, cross-grained nature; and the language of the market-place.”
From Washington Post ● Mar. 8, 2019
The geologic mystery of the canyon is how the south-trending Colorado River made a sudden turn westward to carve its way, cross-grained, through four plateaus.
From Salon ● Feb. 9, 2019
And then there’s the cross-grained pairing of Dalziel and Pascoe.
From The Guardian ● Apr. 28, 2018
Perverse, obstinate, contrary, cross-grained, intractable, not amenable, in a dour sullen mood.
From BBC ● Jul. 3, 2014
What a piece of cross-grained luck that Longcluse should have chosen to fall in love with Alice!
From Checkmate by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
