gall 1
/gawl/ , n.
1. impudence; effrontery.
2. bile, esp. that of an animal.
3. something bitter or severe.
4. bitterness of spirit; rancor.
5. gall and wormwood , bitterness of spirit; deep resentment.
[ bef. 900; ME; OE galla, gealla; c. G Galle; akin to L fel, Gk cholé gall, bile ]
Syn. 1. nerve, audacity, brass, cheek.
gall 2
/gawl/ , v.t.
1. to make sore by rubbing; chafe severely: The saddle galled the horse's back.
2. to vex or irritate greatly: His arrogant manner galls me.
v.i.
3. to be or become chafed.
4. Mach. (of either of two engaging metal parts) to lose metal to the other because of heat or molecular attraction resulting from friction.
5. Metall. (of a die or compact in powder metallurgy) to lose surface material through adhesion to the die.
n.
6. a sore on the skin, esp. of a horse, due to rubbing; excoriation.
7. something very vexing or irritating.
8. a state of vexation or irritation.
[ bef. 1000; ME galle (n.), gallen (v.) perh. gall, akin to OE gealla sore on a horse ]
gall 3
/gawl/ , n.
any abnormal vegetable growth or excrescence on plants, caused by various agents, as insects, nematodes, fungi, bacteria, viruses, chemicals, and mechanical injuries.
[ 1350-1400; ME galle galla gallnut. See GALL 2 ]