Definitions for rankleˈræŋ kəl
Random House Webster's College Dictionary
ran•kleˈræŋ kəl(v.)-kled, -kling.
(v.i.)(of feelings, experiences, etc.) to continue to irritate or cause bitter resentment.
(v.t.)to cause (a person) keen irritation or bitter resentment.
Origin of rankle:
1250–1300; ranclen < MF rancler, OF raoncler, var. of draoncler to fester, der. of draoncle a sore < LL dracunculus small serpent, dim. of L dracō serpent; see dragon , carbuncle
ran′kling•ly(adv.)
Princeton's WordNet
eat into, fret, rankle, grate(verb)
gnaw into; make resentful or angry
"The injustice rankled her"; "his resentment festered"
Wiktionary
rankle(Verb)
To cause irritation or deep bitterness.
rankle(Verb)
To fester.
Origin: First attested in 1320. From rancler, draoncler, from draoncle, from dracunculus, diminutive of draco.
Webster Dictionary
Rankle(adj)
to become, or be, rank; to grow rank or strong; to be inflamed; to fester; -- used literally and figuratively
Rankle(adj)
to produce a festering or inflamed effect; to cause a sore; -- used literally and figuratively; as, a splinter rankles in the flesh; the words rankled in his bosom
Rankle(verb)
to cause to fester; to make sore; to inflame
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