Adjective

(en adjective)

of or pertaining to a serf, peasant, or rustic

* 1996 , Jeet Heer, Gravitas , Autumn 1996

[...] the eloquence and truth of his tribute stands in marked contrast to Kramer's churlish caricature of Kael as a happy pig wallowing in the dirt.

rude, surly, ungracious

stingy or grudging

(of soil) difficult to till, lacking pliancy; unmanageable

*1730–1774 , Oliver Goldsmith, Introductory to Switzerland

*:Where the bleak Swiss their stormy mansion tread,t

*:And force a churlish soil for scanty bread.

Adjective

(en adjective)

Obvious or easy to notice.

* {{quote-book, year=1928, author=Lawrence R. Bourne

, title=Well Tackled! , chapter=7 citation , passage=“No, don't,” replied the superintendent; “in fact, I'd rather you made yourself conspicuous elsewhere. Go down to the landing stage and cross to New Brighton or Wallasey—doesn't matter which—and come back. No doubt you will be seen, and reported to have gone across.”}}

He was conspicuous by his absence.

Noticeable or attracting attention, especially if unattractive.

* 1969 , Saul Bellow, Mr Sammler's Planet , Penguin Books Ltd, page 6:

For his height he had a small face. The combination made him conspicuous .

He had a conspicuous lump on his forehead.