adj.
Pronunciation: kan- ' ta ŋ -k( ə -)r ə s, k ə n-
Function: adjective
Etymology: perhaps irregular from obsolete contack contention
Date: 1772
: difficult or irritating to deal with <a cantankerous mule>
– can · tan · ker · ous · ly adverb
– can · tan · ker · ous · ness noun