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Webster 1913 Edition


Resentment

Re-sent′ment

(-ment)
,
Noun.
[F.
ressentiment
.]
1.
The act of resenting.
2.
The state of holding something in the mind as a subject of contemplation, or of being inclined to reflect upon something; a state of consciousness; conviction; feeling; impression.
[Obs.]
He retains vivid
resentments
of the more solid morality.
Dr. H. More.
It is a greater wonder that so many of them die, with so little
resentment
of their danger.
Jer. Taylor.
3.
In a good sense, satisfaction; gratitude.
[Obs.]
The Council taking notice of the many good services performed by Mr. John Milton, . . . have thought fit to declare their
resentment
and good acceptance of the same.
The Council Book (1651).
4.
In a bad sense, strong displeasure; anger; hostility provoked by a wrong or injury experienced.
Resentment
. . . is a deep, reflective displeasure against the conduct of the offender.
Cogan.
Syn. – Anger; irritation; vexation; displeasure; grudge; indignation; choler; gall; ire; wrath; rage; fury.
Resentment
,
Anger
. Anger is the broader term, denoting a keen sense of disapprobation (usually with a desire to punish) for whatever we feel to be wrong, whether directed toward ourselves or others. Resentment is anger exicted by a sense of personal injury. It is, etymologically, that reaction of the mind which we instinctively feel when we think ourselves wronged. Pride and selfishness are apt to aggravate this feeling until it changes into a criminal animosity; and this is now the more common signification of the term. Being founded in a sense of injury, this feeling is hard to be removed; and hence the expressions bitter or implacable resentment. See
Anger
.
Anger is like
A full-hot horse, who being allowed his way,
Self-mettle tires him.
Shakespeare
Can heavently minds such high
resentment
show,
Or exercise their spite in human woe?
Dryden.

Webster 1828 Edition


Resentment

RESENT'MENT

, n.
1.
The excitement of passion which proceeds from a sense of wrong offered to ourselves, or to those who are connected with us; anger. This word usually expresses less excitement than anger, though it is often synonymous with it. It expresses much less than wrath, exasperation, and indignation. In this use, resentment is not the sense or perception of injury, but the excitement which is the effect of it.
Can heavenly minds such high resentment show?
2.
Strong perception of good. [Not in use.]

Definition 2024


resentment

resentment

English

Noun

resentment (countable and uncountable, plural resentments)

  1. A feeling of anger or displeasure stemming from belief that one has been wronged by others or betrayed; indignation.
    • 2012 August 5, Nathan Rabin, “TV: Review: THE SIMPSONS (CLASSIC): “I Love Lisa” (season 4, episode 15; originally aired 02/11/1993)”, in (Please provide the title of the work):
      “I Love Lisa” opens with one of my favorite underappreciated running jokes from The Simpsons: the passive-aggressive, quietly contentious relationship of radio jocks Bill and Marty, whose mindless happy talk regularly gives way to charged exchanges that betray the simmering resentment and disappointment perpetually lingering just under the surface of their relationship.
    • 1812, Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice, Chapter 3
      Amongst the most violent against him was Mrs. Bennet, whose dislike of his general behaviour was sharpened into particular resentment by his having slighted one of her daughters.
  2. (obsolete) The state of holding something in the mind as a subject of contemplation, or of being inclined to reflect upon it; feeling; impression.
    • Dr. H. More
      He retains vivid resentments of the more solid morality.
    • Jeremy Taylor
      It is a greater wonder that so many of them die, with so little resentment of their danger.
  3. (obsolete) satisfaction; gratitude
    • 1651, The Council Book
      The Council taking notice of the many good services performed by Mr. John Milton [] have thought fit to declare their resentment and good acceptance of the same.

Translations

See also