— ranklingly , adv.
/rang"keuhl/ , v. , rankled, rankling .
v.i.
1. (of unpleasant feelings, experiences, etc.) to continue to cause keen irritation or bitter resentment within the mind; fester; be painful.
v.t.
2. to cause keen irritation or bitter resentment in: His colleague's harsh criticism rankled him for days.
[ 1250-1300; ME ranclen rancler, OF raoncler, var. of draoncler to fester, deriv. of draoncle a sore dracunculus small serpent, dim. of L draco serpent; see DRAGON, CARBUNCLE ]
Syn. 1, 2. irritate, gall, chafe.