churl

IPA: tʃˈɝɫ

(feudalism, obsolete except historical)
A free peasant (as opposed to a serf) of the lowest rank, below an earl and a thane; a freeman; also (more generally), a person without royal or noble status; a commoner.
A bondman or serf.
(by extension)
(derogatory) A rough, surly, ill-bred person; a boor.
(archaic) A countryman, a peasant, a rustic.
(archaic) A person who is stingy, especially with money; a selfish miser, a niggard.
(Theodism) A freedman, ranked below a thane but above a thrall.

Examples of "churl" in Sentences

Ceorle (whence our word churl) was a countryman or artisan who was a freeman.
The instruments of the churl are and always will be evil, but the liberal deviseth liberal things, Isa. xxxii.
If he did, he would know that the word churl OE. ceorl m. is historically, and currently, loaded with class distinction.
But when what distinguishes the hero from the churl is the choice of obedience or disobedience, then it is open to anyone at any time to become either.
In one incident, an English "churl" who was renowned for weightlifting had a habit of challenging passers-by to hit him on the back with a board for 3 pence to see if it would cause any damage.
Nabal was, a fool but for his money, shall not be complimented with the title of a gentleman or a prince; nor shall they call a churl, that minds none but himself, does no good with what he has, but is an unprofitable burden of the earth, My lord; or, rather, they shall not say of him, He is rich; for so the word signifies.