ORNERY


Meaning of ORNERY in English

adjective

or on·ery or or·na·ry ˈȯrn(ə)rē, ˈȯ(ə)n-, ˈän-, -ri

( often -er/-est )

Etymology: alteration of ordinary

1. chiefly dialect

a. : of inferior quality : common

b. : lazy , shiftless

2.

a. : having a touchy disposition : inclined to be short-tempered : cantankerous

he's been ornery all day

the sorrel was an ornery cuss and threw anybody that tried to ride him

b. : independent and individualistic sometimes to the point of seeming eccentric

Yankees are an ornery lot, but they're all right at heart

Synonyms: see contrary

Webster's New International English Dictionary.      Новый международный словарь английского языка Webster.