gall

1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈgȯl

: brazen boldness coupled with impudent assurance and insolence

had the gall to think that he could replace her

: bile

especially : bile obtained from an animal and used in the arts or medicine

: something bitter to endure

: bitterness of spirit : rancor

gall

2 of 4

verb

galled; galling; galls

transitive verb

: irritate, vex

sarcasm galls her

: to fret and wear away by friction : chafe

the loose saddle galled the horse's back

the galling of a metal bearing

intransitive verb

: to become sore or worn by rubbing

: seize sense 2

gall

3 of 4

noun (2)

: an abnormal outgrowth of plant tissue usually due to insect or mite parasites or fungi and sometimes forming an important source of tannin see gall wasp illustration

gall

4 of 4

noun (3)

: a skin sore caused by chronic irritation

: a cause or state of exasperation

archaic : flaw

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English galle, going back to Old English gealla, galla, going back to Germanic *gallōn-, galla- (whence Old High German & Old Saxon galla, Old Norse gall), going back to Indo-European *ǵholh₃-n- (whence, without the suffix, Greek cholḗ "bile, bitter hatred," chólos "bitter hatred, wrath," Avestan zāra- "bile"), a derivative of *ǵhelh₃- "green, yellow" — more at yellow entry 1

Note: The sense "boldness," first attested in the U.S. in the second half of the 19th century, is perhaps of independent origin.

Verb

Middle English gallen, in part derivative of galle gall entry 4, in part borrowed from Middle French galer "to scratch, rub, mount an attack on," derivative of gale "gallnut, callus," borrowed from Latin galla gall entry 3

Noun (2)

Middle English galle, borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin galla "gallnut, oak apple," of obscure origin

Note: Latin galla cannot be akin to gall entry 4 if the latter does in fact descend from Indo-European *ǵholH-, and in any case the basic meaning of galla appears to be "excrescence" rather than "sore, blight."

Noun (3)

Middle English galle "sore on the skin, stain, evil, barren or wet spot in a field (in names)," probably in part going back to Anglian Old English *galla (West Saxon gealla) "sore on the skin of a horse," in part borrowed from Middle Low German galle "swelling in a joint, blastodisc, barren place," both nouns going back to Germanic *gallan- (whence also Old Norse galli "fault, flaw"), perhaps going back to an Indo-European base *ǵholH-, whence, from the derivative *ǵholH-r-, Norwegian galder "windgall," Old Irish galar "disease, pain," Welsh galar "mourning, grief"

Note: Perhaps additionally connected are Lithuanian žalà "harm, damage" (from *ǵholH-eh₂), Hittite kallar "nefarious thing, demon" (from *ǵholH-ro-), Old Church Slavic zŭlŭ "bad, evil" (from zero-grade *ǵhlH-o-). According to an older hypothesis the Germanic words are a borrowing from Latin galla "gallnut, oak apple" (see gall entry 3), but given the wide distribution and range of meanings of the Germanic words, this appears unlikely.

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

gall 1 of 4

noun

ˈgȯl

: extreme boldness or rudeness

She had the gall to return my gift.

: bile especially when obtained from an animal for use in the arts or medicine

gall

2 of 4

noun

: a sore spot (as on a horse's back) caused by rubbing

gall

3 of 4

verb

galled; galling

: to make sore by rubbing

: to annoy or make angry

His selfishness just galls me.

gall

4 of 4

noun

: an abnormal swelling or growth on a twig or leaf

Medical Definition

gall 1 of 4

noun

ˈgȯl

: bile

especially : bile obtained from an animal and used in the arts or medicine

gall

2 of 4

noun

: a skin sore caused by chronic irritation

gall

3 of 4

transitive verb

: to rub and wear away by friction : chafe

the loose saddle galled the horse's back

gall

4 of 4

noun

: a swelling of plant tissue usually due to fungi or insect parasites and sometimes forming an important source of tannin

单词	galls
释义	gall 1 of 4 noun (1) ˈgȯl 1 : brazen boldness coupled with impudent assurance and insolence had the gall to think that he could replace her 2 a : bile especially : bile obtained from an animal and used in the arts or medicine b : something bitter to endure c : bitterness of spirit : rancor gall 2 of 4 verb galled; galling; galls transitive verb 1 : irritate, vex sarcasm galls her 2 : to fret and wear away by friction : chafe the loose saddle galled the horse's back the galling of a metal bearing intransitive verb 1 : to become sore or worn by rubbing 2 : seize sense 2 gall 3 of 4 noun (2) : an abnormal outgrowth of plant tissue usually due to insect or mite parasites or fungi and sometimes forming an important source of tannin see gall wasp illustration gall 4 of 4 noun (3) 1 a : a skin sore caused by chronic irritation b : a cause or state of exasperation 2 archaic : flaw Synonyms Noun (1) animosity animus antagonism antipathy bad blood bitterness enmity grudge hostility jaundice rancor Verb abrade chafe corrade erode fray frazzle fret rasp rub wear See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Verb It galls me that such a small group of people can have so much power. move that rope so the sharp edge of the hull doesn't gall it Word History Etymology Noun (1) Middle English galle, going back to Old English gealla, galla, going back to Germanic gallōn-, galla- (whence Old High German & Old Saxon galla, Old Norse gall), going back to Indo-European ǵholh₃-n- (whence, without the suffix, Greek cholḗ "bile, bitter hatred," chólos "bitter hatred, wrath," Avestan zāra- "bile"), a derivative of ǵhelh₃- "green, yellow" — more at yellow entry 1 Note: The sense "boldness," first attested in the U.S. in the second half of the 19th century, is perhaps of independent origin. Verb Middle English gallen, in part derivative of galle* gall entry 4, in part borrowed from Middle French galer "to scratch, rub, mount an attack on," derivative of gale "gallnut, callus," borrowed from Latin galla gall entry 3 Noun (2) Middle English galle, borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin galla "gallnut, oak apple," of obscure origin Note: Latin galla cannot be akin to gall entry 4 if the latter does in fact descend from Indo-European ǵholH-, and in any case the basic meaning of galla* appears to be "excrescence" rather than "sore, blight." Noun (3) Middle English galle "sore on the skin, stain, evil, barren or wet spot in a field (in names)," probably in part going back to Anglian Old English galla (West Saxon gealla) "sore on the skin of a horse," in part borrowed from Middle Low German galle* "swelling in a joint, blastodisc, barren place," both nouns going back to Germanic gallan- (whence also Old Norse galli* "fault, flaw"), perhaps going back to an Indo-European base ǵholH-, whence, from the derivative ǵholH-r-, Norwegian galder "windgall," Old Irish galar "disease, pain," Welsh galar "mourning, grief" Note: Perhaps additionally connected are Lithuanian žalà "harm, damage" (from ǵholH-eh₂), Hittite kallar* "nefarious thing, demon" (from ǵholH-ro-), Old Church Slavic zŭlŭ* "bad, evil" (from zero-grade ǵhlH-o-). According to an older hypothesis the Germanic words are a borrowing from Latin galla* "gallnut, oak apple" (see gall entry 3), but given the wide distribution and range of meanings of the Germanic words, this appears unlikely. First Known Use Noun (1) before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a Verb 14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2 Noun (2) 14th century, in the meaning defined above Noun (3) before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a Phrases Containing gall crown gall gall midge gall wasp gall mite crown gall gall midge gall wasp gall mite Kids Definition gall 1 of 4 noun ˈgȯl 1 : extreme boldness or rudeness She had the gall to return my gift. 2 : bile especially when obtained from an animal for use in the arts or medicine gall 2 of 4 noun : a sore spot (as on a horse's back) caused by rubbing gall 3 of 4 verb galled; galling 1 : to make sore by rubbing 2 : to annoy or make angry His selfishness just galls me. gall 4 of 4 noun : an abnormal swelling or growth on a twig or leaf Medical Definition gall 1 of 4 noun ˈgȯl : bile especially : bile obtained from an animal and used in the arts or medicine gall 2 of 4 noun : a skin sore caused by chronic irritation gall 3 of 4 transitive verb : to rub and wear away by friction : chafe the loose saddle galled the horse's back gall 4 of 4 noun : a swelling of plant tissue usually due to fungi or insect parasites and sometimes forming an important source of tannin galls verb present tense third-person singular of gall 1 as in wears to damage or diminish by continued friction move that rope so the sharp edge of the hull doesn't gall it Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance wears frays erodes rubs chafes bites scrapes abrades gnaws corrades files reduces frets grates rasps eats shaves chews scuffs sandpapers frazzles grazes nibbles corrodes sandblasts wears out erases sharpens scours decomposes rubs out grinds disintegrates whets dissolves breaks down hones wipes (away) breaks up 2 as in bugs to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts humming through your nose like that absolutely galls me Synonyms & Similar Words bugs bothers annoys irritates persecutes nettles frosts gets grates aggravates itches chafes eats infuriates angers riles spites narks plagues exasperates ruffles irks vexes gripes peeves provokes rasps insults gets to worries piques wears on outrages enrages teases badgers offends rankles puts out upsets devils nags sets one's teeth on edge sticks in one's craw harasses gets one's goat distresses maddens gets on one's nerves hacks (off) harries rubs the wrong way baits burns (up) inflames rouses heckles hassles incenses unsettles discomforts agitates antagonizes disquiets roils affronts pesters enflames frets exercises perturbs unhinges ballyrags undoes miffs bullyrags discomposes hagrides freaks (out) Antonyms & Near Antonyms pleases obliges delights mollifies contents gratifies gladdens pacifies appeases placates propitiates conciliates cheers satisfies soothes comforts assures reassures consoles quiets solaces See More 3 as in irritates to make sore by continued rubbing tie your shoes so they don't gall your heels sliding on and off like that Synonyms & Similar Words irritates scrapes chafes scratches excoriates skins abrades burns frets peels grazes inflames enflames flays
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gall

noun (1)

verb

noun (2)

noun (3)

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Phrases Containing gall

Kids Definition

noun

noun

verb

noun

Medical Definition

noun

noun

transitive verb

noun

verb