Cussedly

Part of speech: adverb

Definitions

1. In a fashion that indicates continuous irritation or defiance
2. In a manner showing firm resistance often mixed with annoyance or bad temper
3. Expressed with persistent grumpiness or deliberate obstinacy

Etymology: "Cussed" is an adjective meaning stubbornly obstinate or perverse, and "cussedly" is simply that adjective with the adverbial ending "-ly" attached, producing a manner of acting with stubborn ill temper. The adjective itself is older than its ending suggests: "cussed" is the past participle of "curse" in its dialect sense, so a cussed person is one who has been, in effect, cursed with contrariness. The adverb's story is therefore plain. Its base is "cussed" and its suffix "-ly" is the common English marker that turns an adjective into an adverb, so "cussedly" describes doing something in a cussed way. Like many such adverbs, it is most often found in British and regional usage, where it tends to describe an action done with a dogged refusal to give way.