Resentment (-ment), n.
Etymology: [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 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.
1 more senses
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 watever we feel to be wrong, whether directed toward ourselves or others. Reseniment 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. Shak. Can heavently minds such high resentment show, Or exercise their spite in human woe Dryden.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for resentment; he lists it under anger, hatred, pique.
Where he writes about it:
Resentment (a feeling back or feeling over again) is persistent, the bitter brooding over injuries. — from anger
Spite is petty malice that delights to inflict stinging pain; grudge is deeper than spite; it is sinister and bitter; grudge, resentment, and revenge are all retaliatory, grudge being the disposition, revenge the determination to repay real or supposed offense with injury; revenge may denote also the retaliatory act; resentment, the best word of the three, always holds itself to be justifiable, but looks less certainly to action than grudge or revenge. — from hatred
Resentment rests on more solid grounds, and is deep and persistent. — from pique