rancorous

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   showing deep, persistent resentment, bitterness, or malice

   Years of political rivalry produced an increasingly rancorous public debate.

Formed from rancor + -ous. Rancor came through Old French rancor or rancour from Latin rancor, literally 'rancidness' and figuratively 'a grudge,' from rancere, 'to be rancid.' The physical idea of sourness developed into enduring emotional bitterness.

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