Associations to the word «Rankle»

Wiktionary

RANKLE, verb. (transitive) (intransitive) To cause irritation or deep bitterness.
RANKLE, verb. (intransitive) To fester.

Dictionary definition

RANKLE, verb. Gnaw into; make resentful or angry; "The injustice rankled her"; "his resentment festered".

Wise words

Language is a process of free creation; its laws and principles are fixed, but the manner in which the principles of generation are used is free and infinitely varied. Even the interpretation and use of words involves a process of free creation.
Noam Chomsky