surly, serly, surlie, surley, #syrlie, syrlye

[For sir - like, i. e., magisterial, arrogant, proud, and hence rude, uncivil, morose.] *1. Arrogant, haughty, magisterial. "Like syrlye shepheards hav we none." Spenser: Shepherd's Calendar; July. 2. Gloomily morose; sour, crabbed, snarling; cro and rude; churlish. "Old Tiney, surliest of his kind." Cowper: Epitaph on a Hare. 3. Ungracious, churlish, rude. (Said of things.) *4. Gloomy, dismal. "When I am dead, Then you shall hear this surly , sullen bell." Shakesp.: Sonnet 71. *5. Rough, dark, tempestuous; as, the surly storm. ( Thomson .)