rancour
English
Etymology
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
Audio (US) (file)
Noun
rancour (countable and uncountable, plural rancours)
- 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.
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References
- Douglas Harper (2001–2023), “rancour”, in Online Etymology Dictionary.
Middle English
Alternative forms
- rankor, rauncour, rancor, rankowre, rancur, rankour
Etymology
From Old French rancor, from Latin rancor.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ranˈkuːr/, /ˈrankur/
- (Late ME) IPA(key): /ˈrankər/
Noun
rancour
- Jealousy, ire, towards someone; rancour (also as a metaphorical figure)
- (rare) Rancidity; something which smells vile.
- (rare) A belief that one is engaging in wrongdoing.
Descendants
- English: rancour, rancor
- Scots: rancour
References
- “rancǒur, n.”, in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007, retrieved 2018-11-30.
Old French
Noun
rancour f (oblique plural rancours, nominative singular rancour, nominative plural rancours)
- Late Anglo-Norman spelling of rancur
- il se douterent qe nous eussiens conceu vers eux rancour & indignacion