galling

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

From gall + -ing. The adjective follows from the verb.

Now in mute stillness rested all the air: And thus he spake: “There was the galling bit. — The divine comedy, Dante Alighieri
Perhaps the reception thus given him was more galling than any other could have been to Jack Wentworth's pride. — The Perpetual Curate, Mrs. (Margaret) Oliphant
“No doubt,” Philippa assented, “but you'd find the not understanding him a little more galling, if you were his wife. — The Zeppelin's Passenger, E. Phillips (Edward Phillips) Oppenheim

chafe, gall, fret

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