I. ˈraŋkəl, ˈraiŋ- verb
( rankled ; rankled ; rankling -k(ə)liŋ ; rankles )
Etymology: Middle English ranclen, from Middle French rancler, from Old French draoncler, raoncler, rancler, from draoncle, drancle, raoncle, rancle festering sore, from Medieval Latin dracunculus, from Latin, small serpent, diminutive of draco serpent, dragon — more at dragon
intransitive verb
1.
a. : to become inflamed or infected : fester
b. obsolete : to inflict a painful wound
2.
a. : to produce or continue to produce an effect resembling a festering sore
much hatred still rankles — H.L.Matthews
b. : to continue to cause anger, irritation, or bitter often malignant feelings
this escapade rankled longer in his mind — Leonard Bacon
has long rankled as an act of injustice — Clement Attlee
3. : to become inflamed with anger : chafe in vexation
the prophets … who rankle under defeat — J.G.Fletcher
transitive verb
1. : to cause to fester
2. : to cause irritation or bitter feelings in : make angry : inflame
paying … above the market price which rankled him — J.H.Wheelwright
II. noun
( -s )
: an emotion that rankles