Sur″ly (?), a. [Compar.Surlier (?); superl.Surliest.] [Probably from sir, and originally meaning, sirlike, i.e., proud. See Sir, and Like, a.] 1. Arrogant; haughty. Cotgrave.
2. Gloomily morose; ill-natured, abrupt, and rude; severe; sour; crabbed; rough; sullen; gloomy; as, a surly groom; a surly dog; surly language; a surly look. “That surly spirit, melancholy.” Shak.
3. Rough; dark; tempestuous.
Now softened into joy the surly storm. Thomson.