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".

acerbate (verb), acerbates; acerbated; acerbating
1. To make sour or bitter: Harry's wife acerbated the salad dressing with strong vinegar.
2. To irritate, vex, or annoy: Sam was acerbating his wife when he complained about the excessive sourness of the salad dressing.
3. To express harsh or sharp criticism in a clever way: Some news critics were acerbating the so-called comic's TV show.
To sour or to embitter.
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To irritate or to upset someone.
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acerbic (adjective), more acerbic, most acerbic
1. Regarding something having a bitter or sour taste: The wine had an acerbic flavor and Andre thought it wasn't good to drink.
2. Sharp or bitter in temper, mood, or expression: Lorna's acerbic personality had a negative effect on many people, however her poetry was lovely.
Sour or acid to the taste or temper.
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acerbity (s) (noun), acerbities (pl)
1. Sourness of taste: Virginia couldn't eat the unripe cantaloupe because of its astringency and acerbity.
2. Harshness 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.
acerbophobia (s) (noun), acerbophobias (pl)
An extreme anxiety about consuming sour or bitter tasting foods or liquids: Individuals who are affected by acerbophobia avoid eating anything that is even slightly unsavory or distasteful.
acerophobia (s) (noun), acerophobias (pl)
A term indicating an abnormal nervousness about having any sharp tasting edibles or liquids: Acerophobia is used for people who cannot tolerate foods which they consider to be rancid or stale.
acerose (adjective) (not comparable)
Referring to plant foliage that is sharply pointed and slender: Some Christmas trees that are pines have acerose needles, so children have to be very careful when they decorate them!
acidiferous (adjective), more acidiferous, most acidiferous
Referring to something that yields an acid: Aluminite and carbonate of lime are two examples of acidiferous minerals.
acidulous (adjective), more acidulous, most acidulous
1. Slightly sour, sourish, subacid; somewhat acidic: The salad chef created a tangy, acidulous dressing for the salad.
2. Cutting and sharp in speech or tone; harsh: Based on Cory's acidulous remarks, there were those who suspected that she was angry with the person she was referring to.
3. Etymology: from Latin acidus, "sour".
Sour in feeling or manner; biting, caustic.
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acrid (adjective), more acrid, most acrid
1. Descriptive of something being sharp, bitter, or stinging to the mouth, taste, smell, eyes, skin, and the nose: Thick, acrid smoke was being expelled from the factory's chimney.
2. Characterizing a person being irritating in behavior or sarcastic in speech, writing, etc.: When Jim was asked why he failed to arrive for the business meeting on time, he replied with an acrid remark about a policeman who gave him a ticket for speeding.
Sharp or bitter in taste or smell; sarcastic speaking.
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Stinging to the taste or smell.
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acridian (s) (noun), acridians (pl)
One of the family Acrididae: Crickets, locusts and grasshoppers are all considered to be acridians.
acridine (s) (noun), acridines (pl)
A crystalline compound that lacks color: Acridine is present in coal tar and is essential as a basic or parent compound of pharmaceuticals and dyes.
acridity (s) (noun), acridities (pl)
1. Extreme bitterness: The buttercup causes an acridity of taste and it doesn't matter which variety of buttercup it is.
2. The quality of speech or tone being aggressively offensive or disagreeable: Suddenly there was an acridity and anger in his voice that caused all the other people in the room to look at the speaker in disbelief.
acridly (adverb), more acridly, most acridly
Concerning a how thing or a person emits or vents an odor, etc. in a harsh or caustic way: After being closed up in a trunk for a very long time, the clothing smelled acridly of mothballs!
acridness (s) (noun) (no pl)
1. A pungent or biting smell or taste: The vinegar had an acridness that was so strong that it wasn't used for the salad dressing after all.
2. Bitterness or sharpness in tone or language: Following the car accident, the acridness in Sally's voice could not be overheard or ignored.
acrimonious (adjective), more acrimonious, most acrimonious
Bitter, harsh, and caustic in temper, manner, or speech: Mr. Jones, who was normally courteous and mild in manner, gave his political opponent at the debate an acrimonious response to the accusation that was made.
Bitter in speech or comments.
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Cross references of word families that are related directly, or indirectly, to: "sour, sharp": aceto-; acid-; acies- (not "sour"); acuto- (not "sour"); oxy-; pung- (not "sour").