[1] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

rankle \ran"kle\ ra^ng"k'l, v. i. imp.  p. p. rankled
   -k'ld; p. pr.  vb. n. rankling -kli^ng. from
   rank, a.
   1. to become, or be, rank; to grow rank or strong; to be
      inflamed; to fester; -- used literally and figuratively.
      1913 webster

            a malady that burns and rankles inward. --rowe.
      1913 webster

            this would have left a rankling wound in the hearts
            of the people.                        --burke.
      1913 webster

   2. to produce a festering or inflamed effect; to cause a
      sore; -- used literally and figuratively; as, a splinter
      rankles in the flesh; the words rankled in his bosom.
      1913 webster
see also:
rankled rankling rank 

Rankling >> R Words
Rankling, definition of term: Rankling
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