01 a. Having the grain or fibers run diagonally, or more or less transversely and irregularly, so as to interfere with splitting or planing.
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1.
Having the grain or fibers run diagonally, or more or less transversely and irregularly, so as to interfere with splitting or planing.“If the stuff proves crossgrained, . . . then you must turn your stuff to plane it the contrary way.” — Moxon.
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2.
Perverse; untractable; contrary; difficult to deal with.“She was none of your crossgrained, termagant, scolding jades.” — Arbuthnot.
Syn.
balky, contrarious.