smarting
English
Etymology
From Middle English smertyng, smertinge, from Old English smeortung, smertung (“smarting, itching”), equivalent to smart + -ing.
Adjective
smarting (comparative more smarting, superlative most smarting)
- Painful, sore.
- My arm is still smarting from where the ball hit it.
- (figuratively) Experiencing emotional pain or embarrassment.
Translations
painful, sore
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Verb
smarting
- present participle of smart
Noun
smarting (countable and uncountable, plural smartings)
- A sensation that smarts or stings.
- 1714, Thomas Halyburton, Natural Religion Insufficient, and Revealed Religion Necessary, to Man's Happiness in his Present State:
- Strong they are; for they trample upon our light, the penalties of laws divine and human; yea, and the smartings of our own conscience.
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Anagrams
- Grantism, Ntigrams, migrants