hard-grained

comparative more hard-grained · superlative most hard-grained

1. Having a dense firm grain.

   hard-grained wood

2. Uninviting; dour.

   Though a hard-grained man, close, dry, and silent, he can enjoy old wine with the best. He has a priceless bin of port in some artful cellar under the Fields, which is one of his many secrets.

   1852 March – 1853 September, Charles Dickens, Bleak House, London: Bradbury and Evans, […], published 1853, →OCLC

   1 more example

   A few sentences will suffice to indicate an idea of it. The pervading characteristic of all our Scottish songs seems to be that hard-grained, and not unfrequently sarcastic sagacity, which is the national mark, go where you will.

   1832, The ladies' cabinet of fashion, music and romance