Rankle definition
To rankle is to cause someone to have long-lasting annoyance, anger or irritation.
When you say something to someone that you know will cause upset and anger, this is an example of a time when you rankle someone.
verb
To cause persistent irritation or resentment.
verb
To feel or express irritation or resentment about something.
She rankled at what she considered to be unfair criticism.
verb
To become sore or inflamed; fester.
A wound that rankled.
verb
(obs.) To fester; become or make inflamed.
verb
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To cause or cause to have long-lasting anger, rancor, resentment, etc.
Their indifference rankled him.
verb
To cause (someone) to feel irritated or resentful.
He was rankled by his rival's sudden success.
verb
Origin of rankle
- Middle English ranclen from Old French rancler alteration of draoncler from draoncle festering sore, ulcer from Medieval Latin dracunculus from diminutive of dracō dracōn- serpent, dragon (probably in reference to the fiery red color and pain of a sore) from Latin serpent, fabulous serpentine beast dragon
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
- First attested in 1320. From Old French rancler, draoncler (“to ulcerate, to form a boil"), from draoncle (“a boil"), from Latin dracunculus (“little serpent"), diminutive of dracō (“serpent, dragon").
From Wiktionary