rankle

verb (used without object), ran·kled, ran·kling.

1. (of unpleasant feelings, experiences, etc.) to continue to cause keen irritation or bitter resentment within the mind; fester; be painful.

verb (used with object), ran·kled, ran·kling.

2. to cause keen irritation or bitter resentment in: His colleague’s harsh criticism rankled him for days.

verb

1. (intr) to cause severe and continuous irritation, anger, or bitterness; festerhis failure to win still rankles

v.

c.1300, “to fester,” from Old French rancler, earlier raoncler, draoncler “to suppurate, run,” from draoncle “abscess, festering sore,” from Medieval Latin dracunculus, literally “little dragon,” diminutive of Latin draco “serpent, dragon” (see dragon). The notion is of an ulcer caused by a snake’s bite. Meaning “cause to fester” is from c.1400. Related: Rankled; rankling.