Anger

Part of speech: noun, verb

Pronunciation: /ˈæŋɡə(ɹ)/

Definitions

1. A strong feeling of displeasure and hostility toward someone or something that has caused offense or harm
2. A powerful emotion characterized by irritation or rage often in response to perceived injustice or unfair treatment
3. A heightened state of emotional disturbance that leads to discontent or aggression arising from frustration or hurt feelings

Etymology: Behind the modern word for rage is a much older sense of physical constriction. The Proto-Germanic root behind it meant "grief, sorrow," and its ancestors carry an image of squeezing. Latin "angō" meant "squeeze, choke, vex," and Ancient Greek "ánkhō" meant "to squeeze, strangle." English "anguish" comes from the same family, reaching us through Latin as a doublet of "anger," so the two words are close relatives that took different paths. The English noun arrived in Middle English meaning grief, pain, trouble, or affliction, and the sense of wrath came later. The idea of being tightly bound or hemmed in seems to have shifted gradually from distress toward the hot, choking feeling of resentment. The verb "to anger" comes from Middle English "angren," borrowed from Old Norse "angra," which meant to grieve or vex. Its Scandinavian relatives have kept the older sense of regret: Swedish "ånger" and Danish "anger" both mean remorse.

Synonyms: rage, fury, wrath

Antonyms: calm, peace