gall Definition

gall¹
noun

1. colloq
Impudence; cheek.
Thesaurus: rudeness, impudence, effrontery, insolence, impertinence, nerve, sauciness, cheek, chutzpah (US).
2. Bitterness or spitefulness.

Thesaurus: rancour, spleen, bitterness, venom, malice, spite, hostility, enmity, acrimony, antipathy.
3. Something unpleasant.
4. medicine., old use
Bile.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon gealla bile.

---

gall²
noun

1. A small round abnormal growth on the stem or leaf of a plant, usually caused by invading parasitic fungi or bacteria, or by insects, eg gall wasps.

Etymology: 14c: from Latin galla the oak apple.

---

gall³
noun

1. A sore or painful swelling on the skin, especially of horses, caused by chafing.
2. Something annoying or irritating.
3. A state of being annoyed.

verb galled, galling

1. To annoy.

Thesaurus: rile, rankle, provoke, exasperate, annoy, pester, harass, irritate.
2. To chafe (skin).

Thesaurus: chafe, abrade, excoriate, scuff, nick.

Etymology: 14c as gealla a sore on a horse.