rancour

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English[edit]

Etymology[edit]

First attested as Middle English rancour in the early 13th century, from Old French rancor, from Latin rancor (rancidity, grudge, rancor), from *ranceō (be rotten or putrid, stink), from which also English rancid.[1]

Pronunciation[edit]

  • (file)

Noun[edit]

rancour (countable and uncountable, plural rancours)

  1. Britain and Canada spelling of rancor
    • 1922, Ben Travers, chapter 4, in A Cuckoo in the Nest:
      By some paradoxical evolution rancour and intolerance have been established in the vanguard of primitive Christianity. Mrs. Spoker, in common with many of the stricter disciples of righteousness, was as inclement in demeanour as she was cadaverous in aspect.

References[edit]

  1. ^ Douglas Harper (2001–2024), “rancour”, in Online Etymology Dictionary.

Middle English[edit]

Alternative forms[edit]

Etymology[edit]

From Old French rancor, from Latin rancor.

Pronunciation[edit]

  • IPA(key): /ranˈkuːr/, /ˈrankur/
  • (Late ME) IPA(key): /ˈrankər/

Noun[edit]

rancour

  1. Jealousy, ire, towards someone; rancour (also as a metaphorical figure)
  2. (rare) Rancidity; something which smells vile.
  3. (rare) A belief that one is engaging in wrongdoing.

Descendants[edit]

  • English: rancour, rancor
  • Scots: rancour

References[edit]

Old French[edit]

Noun[edit]

rancour oblique singularf (oblique plural rancours, nominative singular rancour, nominative plural rancours)

  1. Late Anglo-Norman spelling of rancur
    il se douterent qe nous eussiens conceu vers eux rancour & indignacion