galling

[ gaw-ling ]
/ ˈgɔ lɪŋ /

adjective

that galls; chafing; irritating; vexing; exasperating.

Origin of galling

First recorded in 1640–50; gall2 + -ing2

OTHER WORDS FROM galling

gall·ing·ly, adverb gall·ing·ness, noun un·gall·ing, adjective

Definition for galling (2 of 2)

gall 2
[ gawl ]
/ gɔl /

verb (used with object)

to make sore by rubbing; chafe severely: The saddle galled the horse's back.
to vex or irritate greatly: His arrogant manner galls me.

verb (used without object)

noun

Origin of gall

2
before 1000; Middle English galle (noun), gallen (v.) perhaps < Middle Dutch, Middle Low German gall, akin to Old English gealla sore on a horse

OTHER WORDS FROM gall

un·galled, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for galling

British Dictionary definitions for galling (1 of 4)

galling
/ (ˈɡɔːlɪŋ) /

adjective

irritating, exasperating, or bitterly humiliating
obsolete rubbing painfully; chafing

Derived forms of galling

gallingly, adverb

British Dictionary definitions for galling (2 of 4)

gall 1
/ (ɡɔːl) /

noun

informal impudence
bitterness; rancour
something bitter or disagreeable
physiol an obsolete term for bile 1
an obsolete term for gall bladder

Word Origin for gall

from Old Norse, replacing Old English gealla; related to Old High German galla, Greek kholē

British Dictionary definitions for galling (3 of 4)

gall 2
/ (ɡɔːl) /

noun

a sore on the skin caused by chafing
something that causes vexation or annoyance a gall to the spirits
irritation; exasperation

verb

pathol to abrade (the skin, etc) as by rubbing
(tr) to irritate or annoy; vex

Word Origin for gall

C14: of Germanic origin; related to Old English gealla sore on a horse, and perhaps to gall 1

British Dictionary definitions for galling (4 of 4)

gall 3
/ (ɡɔːl) /

noun

an abnormal outgrowth in plant tissue caused by certain parasitic insects, fungi, bacteria, or mechanical injury

Word Origin for gall

C14: from Old French galle, from Latin galla

Scientific definitions for galling

gall
[ gôl ]

An abnormal swelling of plant tissue, caused by injury or by parasitic organisms such as insects, mites, nematodes, and bacteria. Parasites stimulate the production of galls by secreting chemical irritants on or in the plant tissue. Galls stimulated by egg-laying parasites typically provide a protective environment in which the eggs can hatch and the pupae develop, and they usually do only minor damage to the host plant. Gall-stimulating fungi and microorganisms, such as the bacterium that causes crown gall, are generally considered to be plant diseases.