Aggrieved

/əˈɡriːvd/ adjective

Definition

Feeling angry, upset, or hurt because you believe you've been treated unfairly.

Etymology

From Old French 'agrever' meaning 'to make heavier or worse,' derived from Latin 'aggravare.' The sense evolved from 'burdened' to 'burdened with injustice' to mean feeling wronged or offended.

Kelly Says

The word literally means 'made heavy' in its original Latin form—when you feel aggrieved, you're carrying the weight of perceived injustice. This physical metaphor for emotional pain appears in languages across Europe, showing how humans universally experience unfairness as a burden.

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