7. A perverse fancy; a whim which takes possession of the mind; a conceit. He ruined himself and all that trusted in him by crotchets that he could never explain to any rational man. De Quincey.
CROTCHET
Crotch"et, v. i.
Defn: To play music in measured time. [Obs.] Donne.
CROTCHETED
Crotch"et*ed, a.
Defn: Marked or measured by crotchets; having musical notation.
Harmar (1587).
CROTCHETINESS
Crotch"et*i*ness (krch"t—ns), n.
Defn: The state or character of being crotchety, or whimsical. This belief in rightness is a kind of conscientiousness, and when it degenerates it becomes crotchetiness. J. Grote.
CROTCHETY
Crotch"et*y (krch"t-), a.
Defn: Given to crotchets; subject to whims; as, a crotchety man.
CROTON
Cro"ton (kr"tn), n. Etym: [Gr. (Bot.)