Definition of cantankerous

exculpate Definition: (verb) to free from blame or guilt. Petersons.com

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< cantaloupe

cantata >

can·tan·ker·ous    (kn-tngkr-s) KEY  

ADJECTIVE:

1. Ill-tempered and quarrelsome; disagreeable: disliked her cantankerous landlord.
2. Difficult to handle: "had to use liquid helium, which is supercold, costly and cantankerous" (Boston Globe).

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ETYMOLOGY:
Perhaps from Middle English contek, dissension (influenced by such words as rancorous, and cankerous ), from Anglo-Norman contec, possibly from Latin contctus, past participle of contingere, to touch ; see contact

OTHER FORMS:
can·tanker·ous·ly (Adverb), can·tanker·ous·ness (Noun)

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