galled
Definition
- Adjective:
- Having sore, irritated skin caused by rubbing or chafing: The primary meaning describes a painful condition where the skin is raw, abraded, or inflamed due to repeated friction against another surface.
Examples of Usage
- Adjective:
- After the long hike, his galled feet made every step painful.
- The horse had a galled spot on its back from the ill-fitting saddle.
- She winced as the saltwater touched the galled skin on her shoulder.
Advanced Usage
- Figurative Use (Less Common): While the primary meaning is physical, "galled" can be used figuratively to describe a state of being irritated, vexed, or resentful, though this is more commonly expressed by the verb "to gall."
- He was galled by the unfair criticism. (This usage is understood but "vexed" or "irritated" is more typical for the adjective.)
Variants and Related Words
- Gall (verb): To irritate or chafe, either physically or mentally.
- The rough fabric galled his skin. (Physical)
- His arrogant comments galled everyone in the room. (Figurative)
- Chafed (adjective): A very close synonym for the physical meaning of "galled."
- Abrasion (noun): The process or result of wearing away the skin by friction.
Synonyms
- Chafed: Rubbed raw by friction.
- Raw: Having the skin rubbed off; sore.
- Irritated: Inflamed or sore.
- Sore: Painful or tender.
Related Phrases
- To gall someone: To make someone feel annoyed or resentful.
- It galls me to see such waste.
- Gall and wormwood: An idiom meaning something that is deeply bitter and vexing.
Adjective
-
painful from having the skin abraded
