The deepest
malignity or spite; deep-seated
enmity or malice;
inveterate hatred. "To stint rancour and dissencioun." "It would not be
light to conceive the passion, rancor, and
malice of their tongues and hearts." (Burke)
Synonym: Enmity, hatred,
ill will, malice, spite, grudge, animosity, malignity.
Rancor, Enmity. Enmity and
rancor both
describe hostile feelings;
but enmity may be generous and open,
while rancor implies private
malice of the
worst and most enduring character, and is the strongest
word in our
language to
express hostile feelings. "Rancor
will out; proud prelate, in thy
person I
see thy fury." (Shak) "Rancor is that
degree of
malice which preys
upon the possessor." (Cogan)
Origin: OE. Rancour, OF. Rancor, rancur, F. Rancune, fr. L. Rancor rancidity, rankness; tropically, an
old grudge, rancor, fr. Rancere to be
rank or rancid.
Source: Websters Vocabulary