Grudges

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈɡɹʌd͡ʒɪz/

Definitions

1. A lasting sense of bitterness or animosity directed at someone due to real or imagined offenses
2. An enduring feeling of resentment or ill will towards a person, often rooted in past conflicts or injustices
3. A continuing feeling of bitterness or anger held against another person due to past wrongs

Etymology: "Grudges" is simply the plural of "grudge," so the noun's history is the story. Its roots lie in the sounds of complaint: the Old French verb "grouchier" or "groucier" meant "to murmur" or "to grumble," and it probably imitates the noise a discontented person makes. Germanic cousins carry the same sound-shape, such as Middle High German "grogezen," meaning "to howl or wail," and German "grocken," meaning "to croak," while Old High German "grunzen" means "to grunt." Those Old French forms passed into Middle English as "grucchen," which meant to murmur, complain, feel envy, or begrudge. The noun that emerged in the mid-15th century was a variant of "grutch," itself younger than the verb "begrudge." Across that journey the sense narrowed from the noisy complaining itself to the sour, lingering resentment we now associate with the word.

Synonyms: resentments, bitterness

Antonyms: forgiveness, reconciliation