Definition of rile

The origin of the English word "rile" can be traced back to Middle English, where it appeared in the form "relen" or "relennen." This verb was derived from the Old Norse word "hrylaz," which means "stir" or "rouse." The Norse word itself can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic "khreiuzan," which has the same meaning. In Old English, there was no exact equivalent to "rile" or "rel[e]lennen." Instead, Old English used the verb "wræccan" (meaning "to cause to writhe or twist") to convey the same meaning. In Middle English, "rile" or "rel[e]lennen" came to be used in the sense of provoking or exciting strong emotions, especially in a negative context. This meaning is still present in its modern usage in phrases such as "to rile someone" or "to get someone's blood boiling." However, over time, "rile" also came to mean "to ruffle or disarrange" in a physical sense. This usage can be found in Middle English as early as the 14th century, and it likely derives from the idea of making feathers or fur "lie" or "rest" improperly, which would cause discomfort or irritation. This sense of the word is still present in its modern usage in phrases such as "to rile someone's feathers" or "to rile someone up." Overall, the word "rile" has a history that is both fascinating and complex, reflecting the many ways in which language can evolve and develop over time.