Churl

/tʃɜːl/ · noun

Meaning

A free peasant (as opposed to a serf) of the lowest rank, below an earl and a thane; a freeman; also (more generally), a person without royal or noble status; a commoner..

Definitions by Sense

1. A free peasant (as opposed to a serf) of the lowest rank, below an earl and a thane; a freeman; also (more generally), a person without royal or noble status; a commoner.
2. A bondman or serf.
3. A rough, surly, ill-bred person; a boor.
4. A countryman, a peasant, a rustic.
5. A person who is stingy, especially with money; a selfish miser, a niggard.
6. A freedman, ranked below a thane but above a thrall.

Example Sentences

[F]rom this time forvvard I do pardon before God all the vvrongs that they haue done, or ſhall doe vnto me, vvhether they vvere, be, or ſhall be done by high or lovv perſon, rich or poore, Gentleman or Churle, vvithout excepting any ſtate or condition.

[A] churles curtesie rathely comes but either for gaine, or falshood.

Thus ſay the common People that knovv him, A Saint abroad, and a Devil at home: His poor Family finds it ſo, he is ſuch a churl, ſuch a railer at, and ſo unreaſonable vvith his Servants, that they neither knovv hovv to do for, or ſpeak to him.

Since it must be so, and this churl has check'd / Thy gentle spirit, go; […]

There are graces in the demeanor of a polished and noble person, which are lost upon the eye of a churl.

"Unmannerly churl!" exclaimed Sybil starting in her chair, her eye flashing lightning, her distended nostril quivering with scorn. "Oh! yes, I am a churl," said Morley; "I know I am a churl. Were I a noble the daughter of the people would perhaps condescend to treat me with less contempt."

And, as the mazy web she whirls, / She sees the surly village-churls, / And the red cloaks of market-girls, / Pass onward from Shalott.

“A see T’m Baak’ll,” the Bantam recommenced, and again the contortions of a horrible wink were directed at Richard. The boy might well believe this churl was lying, and he did, and was emboldened to exclaim, “You never saw Tom Bakewell set fire to that rick!”

Synonyms for churl

Antonyms for churl

Related Words

Word Forms

• churls

Usage Notes

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