rankle
ran·kle
verb \ˈraŋ-kəl\ran·kledran·kling \-k(ə-)liŋ\
Definition of RANKLE
intransitive verb
1
: to cause anger, irritation, or deep bitterness
2
: to feel anger and irritation
transitive verb
: to cause irritation or bitterness in
Examples of RANKLE
- The joke about her family rankled her.
- <that kind of rude treatment from a young person makes me rankle>
Origin of RANKLE
Middle English ranclen to fester, from Anglo-French rancler, from Old French draoncler, raoncler, from draoncle, raoncle festering sore, from Medieval Latin dracunculus, from Latin, diminutive of draco serpent — more at dragon
First Known Use: 1606
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