gallstone

GALLSTONE, noun A concretion formed in the gallbladder. GALL, noun [Latin galla.] A hard round excrescence on the oak tree in certain warm climates, said to be the nest of an insect called cynips. It is formed from the tear issuing from a puncture made by the insect, and gradually increased by accessions of fresh matter, till it forms a covering to the eggs and succeeding insects. Galls are used in making ink; the best are from Aleppo. GALL, verb transitive 1. To fret and wear away by friction; to excoriate; to hurt or break the skin by rubbing; as, a saddle galls the back of a horse, or a collar his breast. Tyrant, I well deserve thy galling chain. 2. To impair; to wear away; as, a stream galls the ground. 3. To tease; to fret; to vex; to chagrin; as, to be galled by sarcasm. 4. To wound; to break the surface of any thing by rubbing; as, to gall a mast or a cable. 5. To injure; to harass; to annoy. The troops were galled by the shot of the enemy. In our wars against the French of old, we used to gall them with our long bows, at a greater distance than they could shoot their arrows. GALL, verb intransitive To fret; to be teased. GALL, noun A wound in the skin by rubbing.