[sur.ly] adj sur.li.er ; -est [alter. of ME sirly lordly, imperious, fr. sir] (ca. 1572) 1 obs: arrogant, imperious
2: irritably sullen and churlish in mood or manner: crabbed
3: menacing or threatening in appearance "~ weather" syn see sullen -- sur.li.ly adv -- sur.li.ness n -- surly adv