curmudgeonly
UK[kɜːˈmʌdʒənli]US[kərˈmʌdʒənli]
adj
bad-tempered and unfriendly, especially in a way that seems old-fashioned
Etymology
The origin of 'curmudgeon' is obscure, with no clear consensus on its linguistic roots. One unverified but persistent 17th-century suggestion is that it may derive from the French phrase 'coeur méchant', meaning 'wicked heart'. Despite the uncertainty of its beginnings, the word has consistently described an ill-tempered, miserly, and difficult person since its first recorded use. The suffix '-ly' is then added in a standard English manner to form the adjective 'curmudgeonly', describing the characteristic behavior of such a person.
Analysis
The word 'curmudgeonly' is a simplex adjective derived from the noun 'curmudgeon'. Its spelling and structure are not productively formed from transparent, separable morphemes in modern English.
Examples
The curmudgeonly old man shouted at the children to get off his lawn.
She was known for her curmudgeonly refusal to use any modern technology.
Beneath his curmudgeonly exterior, he had a surprisingly generous heart.