resent
verb/ɹiˈzɛnt/ · /ɹɪˈzɛnt/
Etymology From Middle French ressentir, resentir, from Old French resentir (Modern ressentir), from re- + sentir (“to feel”).
1
To feel resentment over; to consider as an affront.
- The bride greatly resented being left at the church.
- These books will fill, and well fill, certain stretches of life […] But in old or nervous or solemnest or dying hours, when one needs the impalpably soothing and vitalizing influences of abysmic Nature, or its affinities in literature or human society, and the soul resents the keenest mere intellection, they will not be sought for.1892, Walt Whitman, “Notes Left Over: Emerson's Books”, in Complete Prose Works:
4 more examples
- Mother very rightly resented the slightest hint of condescension. She considered that the exclusiveness of Peter's circle was due not to its distinction, but to the fact that it was an inner Babylon of prodigality and whoredom,[…].1921, Ben Travers, chapter 2, in A Cuckoo in the Nest, Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, Page & Company, published 1925, →OCLC:
- […] of all the sections of a ship's company, the forecastlemen, veterans for the most part and bigoted in their sea-prejudices, are the most jealous in resenting territorial encroachments […]1924, Herman Melville, chapter 12, in Billy Budd, London: Constable & Co.:
- so that they resent recent Kartvelian encroachment on their land, which has been accompanied by repeated attempts to Georgianize them.1995, Anna Kreikemeyer, Andreĭ Vladimirovich Zagorskiĭ, Crisis management in the CIS: whither Russia?:
- Boys’ basketball boosters say something is missing in the stands at away games, cheerleaders resent not being able to meet their rivals on the road, and even female basketball players being hurrahed are unhappy.2007 January 14, Winnie Hu, “Equal Cheers for Boys and Girls Draw Some Boos”, in The New York Times:
2
To express displeasure or indignation at.
- Do you resent us for offering you that choice?
- The good prince King James […] bore dishonourably what he might have resented safely.1743, Henry St John, 1st Viscount Bolingbroke, Remarks on the History of England:
3
Obsolete To be sensible of; to feel.
4
Obsolete In a positive sense, to take well; to receive with satisfaction.
- […] which makes the tragical ends of noble persons more favorably resented by compassionate readers.1658, Thomas Browne, “(please specify the page)”, in Hydriotaphia, Urne-buriall, […] Together with The Garden of Cyrus, […], London: […] Hen[ry] Brome […], →OCLC:
5
Obsolete To recognize; to perceive, especially as if by smelling; -- associated in meaning with sent, the older spelling of scent, to smell. See resent (intransitive verb).
- Perchance as vulturs are ſaid to ſmell the earthlineſſe of a dying corps; ſo this bird of prey reſented a worſe than earthly ſavour in the ſoul of Saul, an evidence of his death at hand.1642, Thomas Fuller, “The Witch of Endor”, in The Holy State, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire: […] Roger Daniel for John Williams, […], →OCLC, book V (The Profane State), page 371:
- But our King Henrie the ſeventh (being too good a ſenſer to miſtake a flouriſh for a blow) quickly reſented his drift (which was to perſwade our King to peace, till Charles ſhould perform his projects in little Britain and elſewhere) and dealt with him accordingly.1639, Thomas Fuller, “The Fortunes of Jerusalem since the Holy Warre; and Her Present Estate”, in The Historie of the Holy Warre, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire: […] Thomas Buck, one of the printers to the Universitie of Cambridge [and sold by John Williams, London], →OCLC, book V (A Supplement of the Historie of the Holy Warre), page 273:
6
Obsolete To give forth an odor; to smell; to savor.
- Derived terms
- resentable, resenter, resentful, resentingly, resentive, unresented, unresenting