Definition

1. Noun:
   • A bad-tempered person: A "crosspatch" is a person who is habitually irritable, grumpy, or easily annoyed. It is an informal and somewhat old-fashioned term.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • Don't be such a crosspatch; it's just a little rain. (Don't be such a grumpy person; it's just a little rain.)
  • The old man next door is known as the neighborhood crosspatch. (The old man next door is known as the neighborhood grouch.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used in a mildly humorous or affectionate way to describe someone's temporary or characteristic grumpiness, rather than deep-seated anger.
  • Oh, ignore him when he's a crosspatch in the morning before his coffee. (Oh, ignore him when he's grumpy in the morning before his coffee.)

Variants and Related Words

• Cross (adj.): In a bad temper, annoyed.
  • She was cross about the mistake. (She was annoyed about the mistake.)
• Grouch (n.): A habitually grumpy person. (A very close synonym to "crosspatch".)

Synonyms

• Grouch: A person who complains a lot or is often in a bad mood.
• Curmudgeon: A bad-tempered or surly person, often an older man.
• Crab: A person who is irritable or ill-tempered.
• Grump: A person given to complaining or irritability.

Idioms and Phrases

• To be in a (right) crosspatch: To be in a bad mood. (This is a less common phrasing, but follows the pattern of the word.)
  • He's been in a right crosspatch all day. (He's been in a very bad mood all day.)

Noun

1. a bad-tempered person