churl

[ churl ]

noun

1. a rude, boorish, or surly person.
2. a peasant; rustic.
3. a stingy person; miser; skinflint:

   He was a churl in his affections.

4. English History. a freeman of the lowest rank.

churl

/ tʃɜːl /

noun

1. a surly ill-bred person
2. archaic.
   a farm labourer
3. See ceorl
   a variant spelling of ceorl

Word History and Origins

Origin of churl¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English cherl, Old English ceorl “male human being, man, freeman (of the lowest class)”; cognate with Dutch kerel, German Kerl “guy, fellow, chap”; akin to carl

Word History and Origins

Origin of churl¹

Old English ceorl; related to Old Norse karl, Middle Low German kerle, Greek gerōn old man

Example Sentences

Many years ago I was very much wounded (but I said nothing) to hear myself spoken of as a churl, an impossible and crabbed man.

From Project Gutenberg

To give awkwardly denotes the churl; the most difficult and unpleasant part is to give; then, why not add a smile?

From Project Gutenberg

There tarried Olaf long and it fared well with him, and always was he mightily beloved by the churl.

From Project Gutenberg

A man may value what is his own without being a miser or a churl.

From Project Gutenberg

I am no sour churl to take offence at the idle words of a foolish boy.

From Project Gutenberg