Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Chagrin?

\Cha*grin"\, n. [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}.] 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. Usage: {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 from 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 from our wishes and views being crossed: mortification, from our self-importance being hurt; chagrin, from a mixture of the two.'' --Crabb.
\Cha*grin"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Chagrined}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Chargrining}.] [Cf. F. chagriner See {Chagrin}, n.] To excite ill-humor in; to vex; to mortify; as, he was not a little chagrined.
\Cha*grin"\, v. i. To be vexed or annoyed. --Fielding.
\Cha*grin"\, a. Chagrined. --Dryden.