ADJ-GRADED 脾气暴躁的;难以相处的;刻薄的 If you describe someone as ornery, you mean that they are bad-tempered, difficult, and often do things that are mean. 脾气暴躁的;难以相处的;刻薄的 [US, informal, disapproval]
The old lady was still being ornery, but at least she had consented to this visit.