chagrin Meaning, Definition & Usage

Cha*grin" noun

Etymology

F., fr. chagrin shagreen, a particular kind of rough and grained leather; also a rough fishskin used for graters and files; hence (Fig.), a gnawing, corroding grief. See Shagreen.

Definitions

1. Vexation; mortification.

   I must own that I felt rather vexation and chagrin than hope and satisfaction. Richard Porson.

   Hear me, and touch Belinda with chagrin. Pope.

   Syn. -- Vexation; mortification; peevishness; fretfulness; disgust; disquiet. Chagrin, Vexation, Mortification. These words agree in the general sense of pain produced by untoward circumstances. Vexation is a feeling of disquietude or irritating uneasiness from numerous causes, such as losses, disappointments, etc. Mortification is a stronger word, and denotes that keen sense of pain which results fron wounded pride or humiliating occurrences. Chagrin is literally the cutting pain produced by the friction of Shagreen leather; in its figurative sense, it varies in meaning, denoting in its lower degrees simply a state of vexation, and its higher degrees the keenest sense of mortification.

   "Vexation arises chiefly fron our wishes and views being crossed: mortification, from our self-importance being hurt; chagrin, from a mixture of the two." Crabb.

Cha*grin" transitive verb

Etymology

Cf. F. chagriner See Chagrin, n.

Wordforms

imperfect & past participle Chagrined ; present participle & verbal noun Chargrining

Definitions

1. To excite ill-humor in; to vex; to mortify; as, he was not a little chagrined.

Cha*grin" intransitive verb

Definitions

1. To be vexed or annoyed. Fielding.

Cha*grin" adjective

Definitions

1. Chagrined. Dryden.