Rankled

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To instill a lasting sense of irritation or dissatisfaction in an individual
2. To provoke an enduring feeling of displeasure or anger that does not easily fade
3. To deeply annoy or upset someone so that the feeling lasts over time

Etymology: The verb "rankle" began as a medical term for a festering sore. It comes from Old French "rancler," meaning "to ulcerate" or "to form a boil," which was built on "draoncle," a word for a boil. Behind that lies Latin "dracunculus," a little serpent, a diminutive of "dracō," serpent or dragon. The link is probably the image of a boil that burrows and stings like a creature, though the exact reasoning behind the name is uncertain. Middle English took the word in the form "ranklen" or "ranclen," still meaning a sore that festered. The sense of mental torment came later, as the picture of a wound that keeps throbbing shifted into a grievance that keeps gnawing at a person. "Rankled" is simply the past tense of "rankle," so it describes an irritation that persisted once it had taken hold.

Synonyms: irritated, annoyed, vexed, bothered, disturbed

Antonyms: pleased, satisfied, calmed, comforted, soothed