crosspatch

[ kraws-pach, kros- ]
See synonyms for crosspatch on Thesaurus.com
nounInformal.
  1. a bad-tempered or irritable person.

Origin of crosspatch

1
First recorded in 1690–1700; cross- + patch1

Words Nearby crosspatch

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use crosspatch in a sentence

  • But the old crosspatch never says a word when one comes near him to talk; all he does is to come along with his big stick.

    Maezli | Johanna Spyri
  • "What an old crosspatch he is," began Marjorie as her brother came up with her.

  • "And I have been thinking that the old man will fight to keep my diamond crown," said King crosspatch anxiously.

    The Green Forest Fairy Book | Loretta Ellen Brady
  • Queen Grumpy and King crosspatch refused to ride in their royal coach of gold and glass.

    The Green Forest Fairy Book | Loretta Ellen Brady
  • When it was daylight at last, King crosspatch clapped his hands to call his servants to attend.

    The Green Forest Fairy Book | Loretta Ellen Brady

British Dictionary definitions for crosspatch

crosspatch

/ (ˈkrɒsˌpætʃ) /


noun
  1. informal a peevish bad-tempered person

Origin of crosspatch

1
C18: from cross + obsolete patch fool

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012