gall

Pronunciation: /ɡɔːl/ (American English)

Origin: Old English gealla, from Germanic origin; related to Dutch gal and German Galle, from an Indo-European root shared by Greek kholē and Latin fel, meaning 'bile'.

Meanings:

1. (noun) Bitter fluid stored in the gallbladder; bile.
2. (noun) Bold, impudent behavior; effrontery.
3. (noun) A sore on the skin caused by chafing or rubbing.
4. (noun) An abnormal growth on plants caused by insects or fungi.
5. (verb) To irritate or annoy.

Example Sentences:

1. The doctor explained that the gallbladder stores and releases gall to aid in digestion.
2. He had the gall to ask for a raise after showing up late every day this week.
3. The ill-fitting shoes caused a painful gall on her heel.
4. The oak leaves were covered in small, round galls caused by wasp larvae.
5. His constant complaining really galls me.

Related Words:

• Nouns: gallbladder, gallstone
• Adjectives: galling (irritating or exasperating)
• Verbs: gall (to irritate or annoy)
• Synonyms:
  • (meaning 2) audacity, nerve, cheek, impudence
  • (meaning 5) irritate, vex, annoy, exasperate

Memorizable Tricks:

• Think of "gall" as having the "audacity" to be as bitter as bile.
• Remember the phrase "gall and wormwood" (meaning something bitter or unpleasant) to connect gall with bitterness.
• The word "gallbladder" contains "gall," reminding you of its connection to bile.
• For the plant-related meaning, imagine a small, round "ball" on a leaf, but replace the "b" with "g" for "gall."