[f. as prec. + -NESS.] Surly character, condition or manner. † a. Imperiousness, haughtiness, arrogance. Obs. b. Gloomy ill-humor, churlish moroseness.
1587. T. Norton, Calvin’s Inst., IV. i. § 16, margin. The surlinesse of some by reason of pride, and a vaine opinion of their owne holines.
1593. Bilson, Govt. Christ’s Ch., 389. To ouer-rule Christian princes and Churches with greater surlines than ever did Patriarke or Pope.
1603. Holland, Plutarch’s Mor., 128. A kinde of froward surlinesse hardly to be pleased.
1644. Milton, Areop. (Arb.), 36. To … mollifie the Spartan surlinesse with his smooth songs and odes.
1691. Hartcliffe, Virtues, 164. That we fall not upon either of the extremes, base Submission, or Surliness.
1700. Dryden, Pal. & Arc., II. 192. None greets; for none the Greeting will return; But in dumb Surliness, each arm’d with Care His Foe profest, as Brother of the War.
1747. Richardson, Clarissa (1810), I. xliii. 328. How shall I stand the questions of some, the set surliness of others?
1831. Scott, Cast. Dang., xix. The surliness which has replaced their wonted courtesy of manners.
1879. Seguin, Black For., ii. 38. This independence of character does not produce any surliness of manner in the Black Forest peasantry.
