An adjective, usually used to describe a person of somewhat advanced years, who is disagreeable to deal with, but has excellent, provocative chat, or banter.
Dave: Saw Frank today in the supermarket. The miserable bugger's convinced we should house all homeless people in jail and let them eat the prisoners.
Boris: Yeah, he's a bantankerous old git, isn't he?!
Boris: Yeah, he's a bantankerous old git, isn't he?!
by The Noceros February 20, 2010
by E-Dog H April 18, 2016