How Do You Spell GALL?

Pronunciation: [ɡˈɔːl] (IPA)

The word "gall" has a peculiar spelling that is etymologically interesting. Phonetically, it is pronounced like /ɡɔːl/, with an emphasis on the first syllable. Its spelling follows the standard rule of using the double consonant "ll" to indicate a short vowel sound in the preceding syllable. Interestingly, the word has Germanic roots, where it is spelled "galle", and it is related to the Old Norse "göl", meaning bile. Nowadays, the word is most commonly used to refer to a bitter and irritating substance.

GALL Meaning and Definition

  1. Gall, in its noun form, refers to a bitter, irritating substance that is produced naturally by certain trees and plants. It is characterized by its acrid taste, often causing a sharp sensation in the mouth. Gall can also be artificially created through the use of chemicals or other means. In nature, gall is typically secreted by plants in response to external threats such as insects or other invasive organisms. It serves as a protective measure, forming a tough outer layer that shields the plant from further damage.

    The term "gall" can also be used metaphorically to describe feelings of bitterness, resentment, or even anger experienced by an individual. In this context, it refers to a sense of frustration or annoyance caused by someone's actions or behavior. For instance, one might say, "It really galls me how he always takes credit for my work."

    In addition, "gall" can be used as a verb to express the act of irritating or vexing someone. For example, "Her insincere apology galled him even more." Overall, "gall" encompasses both physical and figurative aspects, capturing the essence of bitterness, irritation, and vexation, whether it pertains to natural substances, emotions, or interpersonal interactions.

  2. 1. The bile. 2. An excoriation on the skin. 3. Nutgall, galla.

    A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

  3. • In an animal, a bitter yellowish-green fluid secreted by the gall-bladder; bile; anything extremely bitter; anger; rancour; bitterness of mind; a neutral salt skimmed off the surface of melted crown glass: gall-bladder, a small sack, pear-shaped, which receives the bile from the liver: gall-stone, a concretion found in the gall-bladder.
    • A hard round excrescence growing round the eggs of an insect deposited in the tender shoots of the oak-tree, &c.
    • To hurt or break the skin by rubbing; to tease; to vex much; to chagrin; to wound the feelings.
    • A wound in the skin by rubbing.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for GALL *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for GALL

Etymology of GALL

The word "gall" has multiple etymological origins.

1. From Old English: The word "gall" originated from the Old English noun "gealla", derived from the Proto-Germanic word "gallō" or "gallǭ". This earlier form is related to the Old Norse word "galla" and the Old High German word "galla", all of which mean "gall" or "bile".

2. From Latin: Another origin of "gall" is from the Latin noun "gallus", which means "rooster". This Latin word was also used to refer to a gland in the neck of a rooster, which was believed to be the seat of their irritability and anger. This gland was associated with the strong-tasting and bitter qualities of gall and was thus metaphorically associated with irritability and bitterness in general.

Idioms with the word GALL

  • wormwood and gall The idiom "wormwood and gall" refers to a bitter or deeply unpleasant experience, usually with strong feelings of resentment, bitterness, or anger. It derives from the biblical reference to "wormwood" as a symbol of bitterness and "gall" as a symbol of great affliction.
  • have the gall to do something The idiom "have the gall to do something" means to have the audacity or nerve to do something, especially when it is considered rude, disrespectful, or inappropriate. It implies that the person's actions or behavior are bold or insolent, demonstrating a lack of shame or sensitivity.
  • dip (one's) pen in gall The idiom "dip one's pen in gall" means to express bitterness or anger in one's writing. It refers to someone using harsh and acrimonious language or writing that is filled with venom or resentment.
  • have the gall to do sth The idiom "have the gall to do sth" means to have the audacity or nerve to do something that is considered offensive, audacious, or disrespectful. It implies behaving with a sense of boldness or impudence despite what is considered appropriate or acceptable.
  • dip your pen in gall The idiom "dip your pen in gall" means to write or speak with intense bitterness, malice, or anger. It signifies a situation where someone expresses their feelings or thoughts in a very harsh, spiteful, or resentful manner. It often implies the use of strong words or language to express deep-seated resentment or hostility towards someone or something.
  • gall and wormwood The idiom "gall and wormwood" refers to intense bitterness or resentment, often derived from a deep-seated anger or disappointment. It describes a state of emotional suffering or anguish caused by a particular situation or person.

Similar spelling words for GALL

Plural form of GALL is GALLS

Conjugate verb Gall

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have galled
you would have galled
he/she/it would have galled
we would have galled
they would have galled

CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

I would have been galling
you would have been galling
he/she/it would have been galling
we would have been galling
they would have been galling

CONDITIONAL PRESENT

I would gall
you would gall
he/she/it would gall
we would gall
they would gall

CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

I would be galling
you would be galling
he/she/it would be galling
we would be galling
they would be galling

FUTURE

I will gall
you will gall
he/she/it will gall
we will gall
they will gall

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be galling
you will be galling
he/she/it will be galling
we will be galling
they will be galling

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have galled
you will have galled
he/she/it will have galled
we will have galled
they will have galled

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been galling
you will have been galling
he/she/it will have been galling
we will have been galling
they will have been galling

IMPERATIVE

we Let´s gall

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was galling
you were galling
he/she/it was galling
we were galling
they were galling

PAST PARTICIPLE

galled

PAST PERFECT

I had galled
you had galled
he/she/it had galled
we had galled
they had galled

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been galling
you had been galling
he/she/it had been galling
we had been galling
they had been galling

PRESENT

I gall
you gall
he/she/it galls
we gall
they gall

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am galling
you are galling
he/she/it is galling
we are galling
they are galling

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

galling

PRESENT PERFECT

I have galled
you have galled
he/she/it has galled
we have galled
they have galled

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been galling
you have been galling
he/she/it has been galling
we have been galling
they have been galling

PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE

he/she/it gall

SIMPLE PAST

I galled
you galled
he/she/it galled
we galled
they galled

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