Ran"kle (ră&nsm;"k'l), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Rankled (-k'ld); p. pr. & vb. n. Rankling (-kl&ibreve;ng).] [From Rank, a.] 1. To become, or be, rank; to grow rank or strong; to be inflamed; to fester; -- used literally and figuratively.

A malady that burns and rankles inward.

This would have left a rankling wound in the hearts of the people.

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.

Ran"kle (ră&nsm;"k'l), v. t. To cause to fester; to make sore; to inflame. [R.] Beau. & Fl.

• To become, or be, rank; to grow rank or strong; to be inflamed; to fester; -- used literally and figuratively.