acerb-, acerbo-; acri-, acrid-
(Latin: bitter, sharp, sour, stinging)
Formed from a blend of Latin acer- (feminine acris, neuter acre) which are both related to Latin acus, "needle"; acies, "sharp edge, point, the front of an army, line of battle, battle array"; and acuere, "to sharpen".
acerb, acerbic (adjectivess)
1. Having a bitter or sour taste.
2. Sharp or bitter in temper, mood, or expression.
2. Sharp or bitter in temper, mood, or expression.
acerbate, acerbates; acerbated; acerbating (verbs)
1. To make sour or bitter: "His wife acerbated the salad dressing with strong vinegar."
2. To irritate, vex, or annoy: "He was acerbating his wife when he complained about the excessive sourness of the salad dressing."
3. Expressing harsh or sharp criticism in a clever way: "Some news critics were acerbating the so-called comic's TV show."
2. To irritate, vex, or annoy: "He was acerbating his wife when he complained about the excessive sourness of the salad dressing."
3. Expressing harsh or sharp criticism in a clever way: "Some news critics were acerbating the so-called comic's TV show."
1. Sourness of taste, with bitterness and astringency, as of unripe fruit.
2. Harshness, bitterness, or severity: "She had a reputation for expressing her temperamental acerbities in language which was very bitter and disturbing for those to whom she directed such acerbities."
2. Harshness, bitterness, or severity: "She had a reputation for expressing her temperamental acerbities in language which was very bitter and disturbing for those to whom she directed such acerbities."
An abnormal fear of sour or bitter tasting foods or liquids: "Acerbophobias may lead to the avoidance of acerbic (sour) foods or other related products."
Another term indicating an abnormal fear of sour or bitter tasting foods or liquids: "Acerophobias cause people to reject sour foods or drinks."
acerose
Sharp pointed and slender, as a pine needle.
acidiferous
Producing or yielding an acid.
acidulous
1. Acid or sour.
2. Slightly sour, sourish, sub-acid; somewhat acidic.
3. Cutting and sharp in speech or tone.
2. Slightly sour, sourish, sub-acid; somewhat acidic.
3. Cutting and sharp in speech or tone.
acrid
1. Sharp, bitter, stinging, or irritating to the taste or smell.
2. Bitter, caustic, or sarcastic in speech, etc.
2. Bitter, caustic, or sarcastic in speech, etc.
acridian
acridine
A dye, dye intermediate, and antiseptic precursor derived from coal tar and irritating to the skin and to the mucous membranes.
acridity
acridly
acridness
acrimonious
Bitter and caustic in temper, manner, or speech.
