Rankle definitions
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
To cause (someone) to feel irritated or resentful.
He was rankled by his rival's sudden success.
verb
To fester; become or make inflamed.
verb
To cause or cause to have long-lasting anger, rancor, resentment, etc.
Their indifference rankled him.
verb
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
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