/ ˈsɜːli; NAmE ˈsɜːrli/ adjective
( sur·lier , sur·li·est ) bad-tempered and rude :
a surly youth
► sur·li·ness noun [ U ]
••
WORD ORIGIN
mid 16th cent. (in the sense lordly, haughty, arrogant ): alteration of obsolete sirly (see sir , -ly ).
/ ˈsɜːli; NAmE ˈsɜːrli/ adjective
( sur·lier , sur·li·est ) bad-tempered and rude :
a surly youth
► sur·li·ness noun [ U ]
••
WORD ORIGIN
mid 16th cent. (in the sense lordly, haughty, arrogant ): alteration of obsolete sirly (see sir , -ly ).
Oxford Advanced Learner's English Dictionary. Оксфордский английский словарь для изучающик язык на продвинутом уровне. 2005