Definition (Entry 1 of 4)
- : brazen boldness often with brash self-confidence : nerve, effrontery //I can't believe she said that! What gall! //… the chutzpah, the unmitigated gall, the boldness of these guys … — Anthony M. Amore, quoted in Toronto Star (online) //… the sheer gall and effrontery of the genuine … grifter … — Lucy Mangan —usually used in the phrase have the gall //Once again he has the gall to blame the Press he hates for reporting what he and his wife have said. — Robert Jobson // (humorous) … the head coach had the gall to suggest his poorly performing team was performing poorly. — Cathal Kelly //When caught red-handed, don't have the gall (or stupidity) to try to deny it. — Jane Moore //Our society has a propensity for covertly liking the “unlikeable”. Maybe it's because we appreciate those who do and say things we don't have the gall to put forth ourselves … — Adam Ramos
- : something bitter to endure //… Ed McBain's new 87th Precinct police procedural, whose dark plot of romantic betrayal and legal injustice comes laced with the bitter gall of irony. — Marilyn Stasio: bitterness of spirit : rancor //He seemed to be full of hatred and gall against every thing and every body in the world … — Herman Melville
Definition (Entry 2 of 4)
- transitive verb
- : to fret and wear away by friction : chafe //the loose saddle galled the horse's back //the galling of a metal bearing
- intransitive verb
- : to become sore or worn by rubbing
Definition (Entry 3 of 4)
- : an abnormal outgrowth of plant tissue usually due to insect or mite parasites or fungi and sometimes forming an important source of tannin
— see gall wasp sense illustration
Definition (Entry 4 of 4)
- : a skin sore caused by chronic irritation: a cause or state of exasperation
- archaic : flaw
- //her kindly feelings turned to gall when she found out her nephew only wanted her money
- //I can't believe he had the gall to ask me how much I weigh
- //It galls me that such a small group of people can have so much power.
- //move that rope so the sharp edge of the hull doesn't gall it
NOTE: The sense "boldness," first attested in the U.S. in the second half of the 19th century, is perhaps of independent origin.
NOTE: Latin galla cannot be akin to gall entry 4 if the latter does in fact descend from Indo-European *ǵholH-, and in any case the basic meaning of galla appears to be "excrescence" rather than "sore, blight."
NOTE: Perhaps additionally connected are Lithuanian žalà "harm, damage" (from *ǵholH-eh2), Hittite kallar "nefarious thing, demon" (from *ǵholH-ro-), Old Church Slavic zŭlŭ "bad, evil" (from zero-grade *ǵhlH-o-). According to an older hypothesis the Germanic words are a borrowing from Latin galla "gallnut, oak apple" (see gall entry 3), but given the wide distribution and range of meanings of the Germanic words, this appears unlikely.
Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 1 of 2)
- a deep-seated ill will //her kindly feelings turned to gall when she found out her nephew only wanted her moneySynonymsRelated WordsNear AntonymsAntonyms
- shameless boldness //I can't believe he had the gall to ask me how much I weighSynonyms
Synonyms (Entry 2 of 2)
- to damage or diminish by continued friction //move that rope so the sharp edge of the hull doesn't gall it
- to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts //humming through your nose like that absolutely galls meSynonymsRelated WordsSynonymous Phrases
Definition (Entry 1 of 4)
- : brazen boldness often with brash self-confidence : nerve, effrontery //I can't believe she said that! What gall! //… the chutzpah, the unmitigated gall, the boldness of these guys … — Anthony M. Amore, quoted in Toronto Star (online) //… the sheer gall and effrontery of the genuine … grifter … — Lucy Mangan —usually used in the phrase have the gall //Once again he has the gall to blame the Press he hates for reporting what he and his wife have said. — Robert Jobson // (humorous) … the head coach had the gall to suggest his poorly performing team was performing poorly. — Cathal Kelly //When caught red-handed, don't have the gall (or stupidity) to try to deny it. — Jane Moore //Our society has a propensity for covertly liking the “unlikeable”. Maybe it's because we appreciate those who do and say things we don't have the gall to put forth ourselves … — Adam Ramos
- : something bitter to endure //… Ed McBain's new 87th Precinct police procedural, whose dark plot of romantic betrayal and legal injustice comes laced with the bitter gall of irony. — Marilyn Stasio: bitterness of spirit : rancor //He seemed to be full of hatred and gall against every thing and every body in the world … — Herman Melville
Definition (Entry 2 of 4)
- transitive verb
- : to fret and wear away by friction : chafe //the loose saddle galled the horse's back //the galling of a metal bearing
- intransitive verb
- : to become sore or worn by rubbing
Definition (Entry 3 of 4)
- : an abnormal outgrowth of plant tissue usually due to insect or mite parasites or fungi and sometimes forming an important source of tannin
— see gall wasp sense illustration
Definition (Entry 4 of 4)
- : a skin sore caused by chronic irritation: a cause or state of exasperation
- archaic : flaw
- //her kindly feelings turned to gall when she found out her nephew only wanted her money
- //I can't believe he had the gall to ask me how much I weigh
- //It galls me that such a small group of people can have so much power.
- //move that rope so the sharp edge of the hull doesn't gall it
NOTE: The sense "boldness," first attested in the U.S. in the second half of the 19th century, is perhaps of independent origin.
NOTE: Latin galla cannot be akin to gall entry 4 if the latter does in fact descend from Indo-European *ǵholH-, and in any case the basic meaning of galla appears to be "excrescence" rather than "sore, blight."
NOTE: Perhaps additionally connected are Lithuanian žalà "harm, damage" (from *ǵholH-eh2), Hittite kallar "nefarious thing, demon" (from *ǵholH-ro-), Old Church Slavic zŭlŭ "bad, evil" (from zero-grade *ǵhlH-o-). According to an older hypothesis the Germanic words are a borrowing from Latin galla "gallnut, oak apple" (see gall entry 3), but given the wide distribution and range of meanings of the Germanic words, this appears unlikely.
Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 1 of 2)
- a deep-seated ill will //her kindly feelings turned to gall when she found out her nephew only wanted her moneySynonymsRelated WordsNear AntonymsAntonyms
- shameless boldness //I can't believe he had the gall to ask me how much I weighSynonyms
Synonyms (Entry 2 of 2)
- to damage or diminish by continued friction //move that rope so the sharp edge of the hull doesn't gall it
- to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts //humming through your nose like that absolutely galls meSynonymsRelated WordsSynonymous Phrases
Definition (Entry 1 of 4)
- : brazen boldness often with brash self-confidence : nerve, effrontery //I can't believe she said that! What gall! //… the chutzpah, the unmitigated gall, the boldness of these guys … — Anthony M. Amore, quoted in Toronto Star (online) //… the sheer gall and effrontery of the genuine … grifter … — Lucy Mangan —usually used in the phrase have the gall //Once again he has the gall to blame the Press he hates for reporting what he and his wife have said. — Robert Jobson // (humorous) … the head coach had the gall to suggest his poorly performing team was performing poorly. — Cathal Kelly //When caught red-handed, don't have the gall (or stupidity) to try to deny it. — Jane Moore //Our society has a propensity for covertly liking the “unlikeable”. Maybe it's because we appreciate those who do and say things we don't have the gall to put forth ourselves … — Adam Ramos
- : something bitter to endure //… Ed McBain's new 87th Precinct police procedural, whose dark plot of romantic betrayal and legal injustice comes laced with the bitter gall of irony. — Marilyn Stasio: bitterness of spirit : rancor //He seemed to be full of hatred and gall against every thing and every body in the world … — Herman Melville
Definition (Entry 2 of 4)
- transitive verb
- : to fret and wear away by friction : chafe //the loose saddle galled the horse's back //the galling of a metal bearing
- intransitive verb
- : to become sore or worn by rubbing
Definition (Entry 3 of 4)
- : an abnormal outgrowth of plant tissue usually due to insect or mite parasites or fungi and sometimes forming an important source of tannin
— see gall wasp sense illustration
Definition (Entry 4 of 4)
- : a skin sore caused by chronic irritation: a cause or state of exasperation
- archaic : flaw
- //her kindly feelings turned to gall when she found out her nephew only wanted her money
- //I can't believe he had the gall to ask me how much I weigh
- //It galls me that such a small group of people can have so much power.
- //move that rope so the sharp edge of the hull doesn't gall it
NOTE: The sense "boldness," first attested in the U.S. in the second half of the 19th century, is perhaps of independent origin.
NOTE: Latin galla cannot be akin to gall entry 4 if the latter does in fact descend from Indo-European *ǵholH-, and in any case the basic meaning of galla appears to be "excrescence" rather than "sore, blight."
NOTE: Perhaps additionally connected are Lithuanian žalà "harm, damage" (from *ǵholH-eh2), Hittite kallar "nefarious thing, demon" (from *ǵholH-ro-), Old Church Slavic zŭlŭ "bad, evil" (from zero-grade *ǵhlH-o-). According to an older hypothesis the Germanic words are a borrowing from Latin galla "gallnut, oak apple" (see gall entry 3), but given the wide distribution and range of meanings of the Germanic words, this appears unlikely.
Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 1 of 2)
- a deep-seated ill will //her kindly feelings turned to gall when she found out her nephew only wanted her moneySynonymsRelated WordsNear AntonymsAntonyms
- shameless boldness //I can't believe he had the gall to ask me how much I weighSynonyms
Synonyms (Entry 2 of 2)
- to damage or diminish by continued friction //move that rope so the sharp edge of the hull doesn't gall it
- to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts //humming through your nose like that absolutely galls meSynonymsRelated WordsSynonymous Phrases
Definition (Entry 1 of 4)
- : brazen boldness often with brash self-confidence : nerve, effrontery //I can't believe she said that! What gall! //… the chutzpah, the unmitigated gall, the boldness of these guys … — Anthony M. Amore, quoted in Toronto Star (online) //… the sheer gall and effrontery of the genuine … grifter … — Lucy Mangan —usually used in the phrase have the gall //Once again he has the gall to blame the Press he hates for reporting what he and his wife have said. — Robert Jobson // (humorous) … the head coach had the gall to suggest his poorly performing team was performing poorly. — Cathal Kelly //When caught red-handed, don't have the gall (or stupidity) to try to deny it. — Jane Moore //Our society has a propensity for covertly liking the “unlikeable”. Maybe it's because we appreciate those who do and say things we don't have the gall to put forth ourselves … — Adam Ramos
- : something bitter to endure //… Ed McBain's new 87th Precinct police procedural, whose dark plot of romantic betrayal and legal injustice comes laced with the bitter gall of irony. — Marilyn Stasio: bitterness of spirit : rancor //He seemed to be full of hatred and gall against every thing and every body in the world … — Herman Melville
Definition (Entry 2 of 4)
- transitive verb
- : to fret and wear away by friction : chafe //the loose saddle galled the horse's back //the galling of a metal bearing
- intransitive verb
- : to become sore or worn by rubbing
Definition (Entry 3 of 4)
- : an abnormal outgrowth of plant tissue usually due to insect or mite parasites or fungi and sometimes forming an important source of tannin
— see gall wasp sense illustration
Definition (Entry 4 of 4)
- : a skin sore caused by chronic irritation: a cause or state of exasperation
- archaic : flaw
- //her kindly feelings turned to gall when she found out her nephew only wanted her money
- //I can't believe he had the gall to ask me how much I weigh
- //It galls me that such a small group of people can have so much power.
- //move that rope so the sharp edge of the hull doesn't gall it
NOTE: The sense "boldness," first attested in the U.S. in the second half of the 19th century, is perhaps of independent origin.
NOTE: Latin galla cannot be akin to gall entry 4 if the latter does in fact descend from Indo-European *ǵholH-, and in any case the basic meaning of galla appears to be "excrescence" rather than "sore, blight."
NOTE: Perhaps additionally connected are Lithuanian žalà "harm, damage" (from *ǵholH-eh2), Hittite kallar "nefarious thing, demon" (from *ǵholH-ro-), Old Church Slavic zŭlŭ "bad, evil" (from zero-grade *ǵhlH-o-). According to an older hypothesis the Germanic words are a borrowing from Latin galla "gallnut, oak apple" (see gall entry 3), but given the wide distribution and range of meanings of the Germanic words, this appears unlikely.
Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 1 of 2)
- a deep-seated ill will //her kindly feelings turned to gall when she found out her nephew only wanted her moneySynonymsRelated WordsNear AntonymsAntonyms
- shameless boldness //I can't believe he had the gall to ask me how much I weighSynonyms
Synonyms (Entry 2 of 2)
- to damage or diminish by continued friction //move that rope so the sharp edge of the hull doesn't gall it
- to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts //humming through your nose like that absolutely galls meSynonymsRelated WordsSynonymous Phrases
Definition (Entry 1 of 4)
- : brazen boldness often with brash self-confidence : nerve, effrontery //I can't believe she said that! What gall! //… the chutzpah, the unmitigated gall, the boldness of these guys … — Anthony M. Amore, quoted in Toronto Star (online) //… the sheer gall and effrontery of the genuine … grifter … — Lucy Mangan —usually used in the phrase have the gall //Once again he has the gall to blame the Press he hates for reporting what he and his wife have said. — Robert Jobson // (humorous) … the head coach had the gall to suggest his poorly performing team was performing poorly. — Cathal Kelly //When caught red-handed, don't have the gall (or stupidity) to try to deny it. — Jane Moore //Our society has a propensity for covertly liking the “unlikeable”. Maybe it's because we appreciate those who do and say things we don't have the gall to put forth ourselves … — Adam Ramos
- : something bitter to endure //… Ed McBain's new 87th Precinct police procedural, whose dark plot of romantic betrayal and legal injustice comes laced with the bitter gall of irony. — Marilyn Stasio: bitterness of spirit : rancor //He seemed to be full of hatred and gall against every thing and every body in the world … — Herman Melville
Definition (Entry 2 of 4)
- transitive verb
- : to fret and wear away by friction : chafe //the loose saddle galled the horse's back //the galling of a metal bearing
- intransitive verb
- : to become sore or worn by rubbing
Definition (Entry 3 of 4)
- : an abnormal outgrowth of plant tissue usually due to insect or mite parasites or fungi and sometimes forming an important source of tannin
— see gall wasp sense illustration
Definition (Entry 4 of 4)
- : a skin sore caused by chronic irritation: a cause or state of exasperation
- archaic : flaw
- //her kindly feelings turned to gall when she found out her nephew only wanted her money
- //I can't believe he had the gall to ask me how much I weigh
- //It galls me that such a small group of people can have so much power.
- //move that rope so the sharp edge of the hull doesn't gall it
NOTE: The sense "boldness," first attested in the U.S. in the second half of the 19th century, is perhaps of independent origin.
NOTE: Latin galla cannot be akin to gall entry 4 if the latter does in fact descend from Indo-European *ǵholH-, and in any case the basic meaning of galla appears to be "excrescence" rather than "sore, blight."
NOTE: Perhaps additionally connected are Lithuanian žalà "harm, damage" (from *ǵholH-eh2), Hittite kallar "nefarious thing, demon" (from *ǵholH-ro-), Old Church Slavic zŭlŭ "bad, evil" (from zero-grade *ǵhlH-o-). According to an older hypothesis the Germanic words are a borrowing from Latin galla "gallnut, oak apple" (see gall entry 3), but given the wide distribution and range of meanings of the Germanic words, this appears unlikely.
Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 1 of 2)
- a deep-seated ill will //her kindly feelings turned to gall when she found out her nephew only wanted her moneySynonymsRelated WordsNear AntonymsAntonyms
- shameless boldness //I can't believe he had the gall to ask me how much I weighSynonyms
Synonyms (Entry 2 of 2)
- to damage or diminish by continued friction //move that rope so the sharp edge of the hull doesn't gall it
- to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts //humming through your nose like that absolutely galls meSynonymsRelated WordsSynonymous Phrases
Definition (Entry 1 of 4)
- : brazen boldness often with brash self-confidence : nerve, effrontery //I can't believe she said that! What gall! //… the chutzpah, the unmitigated gall, the boldness of these guys … — Anthony M. Amore, quoted in Toronto Star (online) //… the sheer gall and effrontery of the genuine … grifter … — Lucy Mangan —usually used in the phrase have the gall //Once again he has the gall to blame the Press he hates for reporting what he and his wife have said. — Robert Jobson // (humorous) … the head coach had the gall to suggest his poorly performing team was performing poorly. — Cathal Kelly //When caught red-handed, don't have the gall (or stupidity) to try to deny it. — Jane Moore //Our society has a propensity for covertly liking the “unlikeable”. Maybe it's because we appreciate those who do and say things we don't have the gall to put forth ourselves … — Adam Ramos
- : something bitter to endure //… Ed McBain's new 87th Precinct police procedural, whose dark plot of romantic betrayal and legal injustice comes laced with the bitter gall of irony. — Marilyn Stasio: bitterness of spirit : rancor //He seemed to be full of hatred and gall against every thing and every body in the world … — Herman Melville
Definition (Entry 2 of 4)
- transitive verb
- : to fret and wear away by friction : chafe //the loose saddle galled the horse's back //the galling of a metal bearing
- intransitive verb
- : to become sore or worn by rubbing
Definition (Entry 3 of 4)
- : an abnormal outgrowth of plant tissue usually due to insect or mite parasites or fungi and sometimes forming an important source of tannin
— see gall wasp sense illustration
Definition (Entry 4 of 4)
- : a skin sore caused by chronic irritation: a cause or state of exasperation
- archaic : flaw
- //her kindly feelings turned to gall when she found out her nephew only wanted her money
- //I can't believe he had the gall to ask me how much I weigh
- //It galls me that such a small group of people can have so much power.
- //move that rope so the sharp edge of the hull doesn't gall it
NOTE: The sense "boldness," first attested in the U.S. in the second half of the 19th century, is perhaps of independent origin.
NOTE: Latin galla cannot be akin to gall entry 4 if the latter does in fact descend from Indo-European *ǵholH-, and in any case the basic meaning of galla appears to be "excrescence" rather than "sore, blight."
NOTE: Perhaps additionally connected are Lithuanian žalà "harm, damage" (from *ǵholH-eh2), Hittite kallar "nefarious thing, demon" (from *ǵholH-ro-), Old Church Slavic zŭlŭ "bad, evil" (from zero-grade *ǵhlH-o-). According to an older hypothesis the Germanic words are a borrowing from Latin galla "gallnut, oak apple" (see gall entry 3), but given the wide distribution and range of meanings of the Germanic words, this appears unlikely.
Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 1 of 2)
- a deep-seated ill will //her kindly feelings turned to gall when she found out her nephew only wanted her moneySynonymsRelated WordsNear AntonymsAntonyms
- shameless boldness //I can't believe he had the gall to ask me how much I weighSynonyms
Synonyms (Entry 2 of 2)
- to damage or diminish by continued friction //move that rope so the sharp edge of the hull doesn't gall it
- to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts //humming through your nose like that absolutely galls meSynonymsRelated WordsSynonymous Phrases
Definition (Entry 1 of 4)
- : brazen boldness often with brash self-confidence : nerve, effrontery //I can't believe she said that! What gall! //… the chutzpah, the unmitigated gall, the boldness of these guys … — Anthony M. Amore, quoted in Toronto Star (online) //… the sheer gall and effrontery of the genuine … grifter … — Lucy Mangan —usually used in the phrase have the gall //Once again he has the gall to blame the Press he hates for reporting what he and his wife have said. — Robert Jobson // (humorous) … the head coach had the gall to suggest his poorly performing team was performing poorly. — Cathal Kelly //When caught red-handed, don't have the gall (or stupidity) to try to deny it. — Jane Moore //Our society has a propensity for covertly liking the “unlikeable”. Maybe it's because we appreciate those who do and say things we don't have the gall to put forth ourselves … — Adam Ramos
- : something bitter to endure //… Ed McBain's new 87th Precinct police procedural, whose dark plot of romantic betrayal and legal injustice comes laced with the bitter gall of irony. — Marilyn Stasio: bitterness of spirit : rancor //He seemed to be full of hatred and gall against every thing and every body in the world … — Herman Melville
Definition (Entry 2 of 4)
- transitive verb
- : to fret and wear away by friction : chafe //the loose saddle galled the horse's back //the galling of a metal bearing
- intransitive verb
- : to become sore or worn by rubbing
Definition (Entry 3 of 4)
- : an abnormal outgrowth of plant tissue usually due to insect or mite parasites or fungi and sometimes forming an important source of tannin
— see gall wasp sense illustration
Definition (Entry 4 of 4)
- : a skin sore caused by chronic irritation: a cause or state of exasperation
- archaic : flaw
- //her kindly feelings turned to gall when she found out her nephew only wanted her money
- //I can't believe he had the gall to ask me how much I weigh
- //It galls me that such a small group of people can have so much power.
- //move that rope so the sharp edge of the hull doesn't gall it
NOTE: The sense "boldness," first attested in the U.S. in the second half of the 19th century, is perhaps of independent origin.
NOTE: Latin galla cannot be akin to gall entry 4 if the latter does in fact descend from Indo-European *ǵholH-, and in any case the basic meaning of galla appears to be "excrescence" rather than "sore, blight."
NOTE: Perhaps additionally connected are Lithuanian žalà "harm, damage" (from *ǵholH-eh2), Hittite kallar "nefarious thing, demon" (from *ǵholH-ro-), Old Church Slavic zŭlŭ "bad, evil" (from zero-grade *ǵhlH-o-). According to an older hypothesis the Germanic words are a borrowing from Latin galla "gallnut, oak apple" (see gall entry 3), but given the wide distribution and range of meanings of the Germanic words, this appears unlikely.
Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 1 of 2)
- a deep-seated ill will //her kindly feelings turned to gall when she found out her nephew only wanted her moneySynonymsRelated WordsNear AntonymsAntonyms
- shameless boldness //I can't believe he had the gall to ask me how much I weighSynonyms
Synonyms (Entry 2 of 2)
- to damage or diminish by continued friction //move that rope so the sharp edge of the hull doesn't gall it
- to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts //humming through your nose like that absolutely galls meSynonymsRelated WordsSynonymous Phrases
Definition (Entry 1 of 4)
- : brazen boldness often with brash self-confidence : nerve, effrontery //I can't believe she said that! What gall! //… the chutzpah, the unmitigated gall, the boldness of these guys … — Anthony M. Amore, quoted in Toronto Star (online) //… the sheer gall and effrontery of the genuine … grifter … — Lucy Mangan —usually used in the phrase have the gall //Once again he has the gall to blame the Press he hates for reporting what he and his wife have said. — Robert Jobson // (humorous) … the head coach had the gall to suggest his poorly performing team was performing poorly. — Cathal Kelly //When caught red-handed, don't have the gall (or stupidity) to try to deny it. — Jane Moore //Our society has a propensity for covertly liking the “unlikeable”. Maybe it's because we appreciate those who do and say things we don't have the gall to put forth ourselves … — Adam Ramos
- : something bitter to endure //… Ed McBain's new 87th Precinct police procedural, whose dark plot of romantic betrayal and legal injustice comes laced with the bitter gall of irony. — Marilyn Stasio: bitterness of spirit : rancor //He seemed to be full of hatred and gall against every thing and every body in the world … — Herman Melville
Definition (Entry 2 of 4)
- transitive verb
- : to fret and wear away by friction : chafe //the loose saddle galled the horse's back //the galling of a metal bearing
- intransitive verb
- : to become sore or worn by rubbing
Definition (Entry 3 of 4)
- : an abnormal outgrowth of plant tissue usually due to insect or mite parasites or fungi and sometimes forming an important source of tannin
— see gall wasp sense illustration
Definition (Entry 4 of 4)
- : a skin sore caused by chronic irritation: a cause or state of exasperation
- archaic : flaw
- //her kindly feelings turned to gall when she found out her nephew only wanted her money
- //I can't believe he had the gall to ask me how much I weigh
- //It galls me that such a small group of people can have so much power.
- //move that rope so the sharp edge of the hull doesn't gall it
NOTE: The sense "boldness," first attested in the U.S. in the second half of the 19th century, is perhaps of independent origin.
NOTE: Latin galla cannot be akin to gall entry 4 if the latter does in fact descend from Indo-European *ǵholH-, and in any case the basic meaning of galla appears to be "excrescence" rather than "sore, blight."
NOTE: Perhaps additionally connected are Lithuanian žalà "harm, damage" (from *ǵholH-eh2), Hittite kallar "nefarious thing, demon" (from *ǵholH-ro-), Old Church Slavic zŭlŭ "bad, evil" (from zero-grade *ǵhlH-o-). According to an older hypothesis the Germanic words are a borrowing from Latin galla "gallnut, oak apple" (see gall entry 3), but given the wide distribution and range of meanings of the Germanic words, this appears unlikely.
Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 1 of 2)
- a deep-seated ill will //her kindly feelings turned to gall when she found out her nephew only wanted her moneySynonymsRelated WordsNear AntonymsAntonyms
- shameless boldness //I can't believe he had the gall to ask me how much I weighSynonyms
Synonyms (Entry 2 of 2)
- to damage or diminish by continued friction //move that rope so the sharp edge of the hull doesn't gall it
- to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts //humming through your nose like that absolutely galls meSynonymsRelated WordsSynonymous Phrases
Definition (Entry 1 of 4)
- : brazen boldness often with brash self-confidence : nerve, effrontery //I can't believe she said that! What gall! //… the chutzpah, the unmitigated gall, the boldness of these guys … — Anthony M. Amore, quoted in Toronto Star (online) //… the sheer gall and effrontery of the genuine … grifter … — Lucy Mangan —usually used in the phrase have the gall //Once again he has the gall to blame the Press he hates for reporting what he and his wife have said. — Robert Jobson // (humorous) … the head coach had the gall to suggest his poorly performing team was performing poorly. — Cathal Kelly //When caught red-handed, don't have the gall (or stupidity) to try to deny it. — Jane Moore //Our society has a propensity for covertly liking the “unlikeable”. Maybe it's because we appreciate those who do and say things we don't have the gall to put forth ourselves … — Adam Ramos
- : something bitter to endure //… Ed McBain's new 87th Precinct police procedural, whose dark plot of romantic betrayal and legal injustice comes laced with the bitter gall of irony. — Marilyn Stasio: bitterness of spirit : rancor //He seemed to be full of hatred and gall against every thing and every body in the world … — Herman Melville
Definition (Entry 2 of 4)
- transitive verb
- : to fret and wear away by friction : chafe //the loose saddle galled the horse's back //the galling of a metal bearing
- intransitive verb
- : to become sore or worn by rubbing
Definition (Entry 3 of 4)
- : an abnormal outgrowth of plant tissue usually due to insect or mite parasites or fungi and sometimes forming an important source of tannin
— see gall wasp sense illustration
Definition (Entry 4 of 4)
- : a skin sore caused by chronic irritation: a cause or state of exasperation
- archaic : flaw
- //her kindly feelings turned to gall when she found out her nephew only wanted her money
- //I can't believe he had the gall to ask me how much I weigh
- //It galls me that such a small group of people can have so much power.
- //move that rope so the sharp edge of the hull doesn't gall it
NOTE: The sense "boldness," first attested in the U.S. in the second half of the 19th century, is perhaps of independent origin.
NOTE: Latin galla cannot be akin to gall entry 4 if the latter does in fact descend from Indo-European *ǵholH-, and in any case the basic meaning of galla appears to be "excrescence" rather than "sore, blight."
NOTE: Perhaps additionally connected are Lithuanian žalà "harm, damage" (from *ǵholH-eh2), Hittite kallar "nefarious thing, demon" (from *ǵholH-ro-), Old Church Slavic zŭlŭ "bad, evil" (from zero-grade *ǵhlH-o-). According to an older hypothesis the Germanic words are a borrowing from Latin galla "gallnut, oak apple" (see gall entry 3), but given the wide distribution and range of meanings of the Germanic words, this appears unlikely.
Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 1 of 2)
- a deep-seated ill will //her kindly feelings turned to gall when she found out her nephew only wanted her moneySynonymsRelated WordsNear AntonymsAntonyms
- shameless boldness //I can't believe he had the gall to ask me how much I weighSynonyms
Synonyms (Entry 2 of 2)
- to damage or diminish by continued friction //move that rope so the sharp edge of the hull doesn't gall it
- to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts //humming through your nose like that absolutely galls meSynonymsRelated WordsSynonymous Phrases
Definition (Entry 1 of 4)
- : brazen boldness often with brash self-confidence : nerve, effrontery //I can't believe she said that! What gall! //… the chutzpah, the unmitigated gall, the boldness of these guys … — Anthony M. Amore, quoted in Toronto Star (online) //… the sheer gall and effrontery of the genuine … grifter … — Lucy Mangan —usually used in the phrase have the gall //Once again he has the gall to blame the Press he hates for reporting what he and his wife have said. — Robert Jobson // (humorous) … the head coach had the gall to suggest his poorly performing team was performing poorly. — Cathal Kelly //When caught red-handed, don't have the gall (or stupidity) to try to deny it. — Jane Moore //Our society has a propensity for covertly liking the “unlikeable”. Maybe it's because we appreciate those who do and say things we don't have the gall to put forth ourselves … — Adam Ramos
- : something bitter to endure //… Ed McBain's new 87th Precinct police procedural, whose dark plot of romantic betrayal and legal injustice comes laced with the bitter gall of irony. — Marilyn Stasio: bitterness of spirit : rancor //He seemed to be full of hatred and gall against every thing and every body in the world … — Herman Melville
Definition (Entry 2 of 4)
- transitive verb
- : to fret and wear away by friction : chafe //the loose saddle galled the horse's back //the galling of a metal bearing
- intransitive verb
- : to become sore or worn by rubbing
Definition (Entry 3 of 4)
- : an abnormal outgrowth of plant tissue usually due to insect or mite parasites or fungi and sometimes forming an important source of tannin
— see gall wasp sense illustration
Definition (Entry 4 of 4)
- : a skin sore caused by chronic irritation: a cause or state of exasperation
- archaic : flaw
- //her kindly feelings turned to gall when she found out her nephew only wanted her money
- //I can't believe he had the gall to ask me how much I weigh
- //It galls me that such a small group of people can have so much power.
- //move that rope so the sharp edge of the hull doesn't gall it
NOTE: The sense "boldness," first attested in the U.S. in the second half of the 19th century, is perhaps of independent origin.
NOTE: Latin galla cannot be akin to gall entry 4 if the latter does in fact descend from Indo-European *ǵholH-, and in any case the basic meaning of galla appears to be "excrescence" rather than "sore, blight."
NOTE: Perhaps additionally connected are Lithuanian žalà "harm, damage" (from *ǵholH-eh2), Hittite kallar "nefarious thing, demon" (from *ǵholH-ro-), Old Church Slavic zŭlŭ "bad, evil" (from zero-grade *ǵhlH-o-). According to an older hypothesis the Germanic words are a borrowing from Latin galla "gallnut, oak apple" (see gall entry 3), but given the wide distribution and range of meanings of the Germanic words, this appears unlikely.
Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 1 of 2)
- a deep-seated ill will //her kindly feelings turned to gall when she found out her nephew only wanted her moneySynonymsRelated WordsNear AntonymsAntonyms
- shameless boldness //I can't believe he had the gall to ask me how much I weighSynonyms
Synonyms (Entry 2 of 2)
- to damage or diminish by continued friction //move that rope so the sharp edge of the hull doesn't gall it
- to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts //humming through your nose like that absolutely galls meSynonymsRelated WordsSynonymous Phrases