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rankle definition

ran·kle (raŋ′kəl)

intransitive verb, transitive verb rankled -·kled, rankling -·kling

  1. Obsolete to fester; become or make inflamed
  2. to cause or cause to have long-lasting anger, rancor, resentment, etc. their indifference rankled him

Etymology: ME ranclen < OFr rancler < raoncle, draoncle, a fester, ulcer < ML dracunculus < L, dim. of draco, dragon

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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