smarting

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a kind of pain such as that caused by a wound or a burn or a sore
  2. verb be the source of pain

Etymology

From Middle English smertyng, smertinge, from Old English smeortung, smertung (“smarting, itching”), equivalent to smart + -ing.

In classic literature

Synonyms

smart, smartness

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