Heartburning

Part of speech: adjective, noun

Definitions

1. A consuming feeling of resentment, envy, or mortification that causes emotional pain and bitter discontent
2. A deep emotional turmoil characterized by intense feelings of resentment or jealousy that leads to significant discomfort and unhappiness
3. An overwhelming sensation of distress stemming from feelings of envy or humiliation, resulting in notable emotional suffering and dissatisfaction

Etymology: "Heartburning" is a plain compound of "heart" and "burning," the present participle of "burn." Its literal sense is the physical or emotional heat felt in the chest, and the sense of smouldering resentment or jealousy grew naturally from the older image of the heart as the seat of feeling. Here the word's surprise lies in the image rather than any twist of meaning: the burning is an inward ache, not a fire that anyone can see. The word is used both as a noun and as an adjective. As a noun it names the state itself, the long-simmering resentment that eats at someone. As an adjective it describes the feeling or situation that produces it, so a heartburning rivalry is one that festers rather than erupts.