Rankle

Part of speech: verb

Pronunciation: /ˈɹæŋ.kəl/

Definitions

1. To cause ongoing emotional pain or annoyance that lingers over time
2. To produce a feeling of lasting bitterness or irritation in someone
3. To provoke continual discomfort or resentment that remains unresolved

Etymology: The verb "rankle" began as a medical word for a festering sore. Medieval French speakers used "draoncle" for a boil or ulcer, and the word came from Latin "dracunculus," meaning "little serpent," a diminutive of "draco," serpent or dragon. The likely reason is that the sore's inflamed, snaking course or its stinging, creeping character suggested a small serpent, though the exact motivation is uncertain. From this medical sense, French developed "rancler," meaning to ulcerate or form a boil, and Middle English borrowed it as "ranclen" or "ranklen." The verb kept the idea of an ulcer that stays raw and keeps hurting, which is why "rankle" now describes a grievance or insult that continues to sting long after it happened.

Synonyms: irritate, annoy, vex, infuriate, disturb

Antonyms: please, delight, satisfy, comfort, calm