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
His position in this battle was that of conductor of "The Gabwrangle Grimalkin," a cross-grained, querulous, tart and vinegarish little folio, which hoisted the banner of Theophilus Flam, and swore in his words.
From Quodlibet by Kennedy, John Pendleton
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
