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".
1. A sour-tasting liquid produced usually by oxidation of the alcohol in wine or cider and used as a condiment or food preservative: Vinegar can be made by certain bacteria operating on sugar-water solutions directly, without intermediary conversion to ethanol.
2. A sour liquid consisting of dilute and impure acetic acid, obtained by acetous fermentation from wine, cider, beer, ale, etc.; used as a condiment, preservative, etc.: Vinegar is a sour-tasting liquid made from the oxidation of ethanol in wine, cider, beer, fermented fruit juice, or nearly any other liquid containing alcohol.
3. In pharmacy, a solution of a medicinal substance in dilute acetic acid: Vinegar, as a diluted acetic acid, is a colorless and pungent liquid used in making pharmaceuticals and plastics.
4. A descriptive term for sour or irritable speech, manner, or countenance: The audience recognized a note of vinegar in the speaker's voice.
5. Informal for vigor; high spirits; vim: The children were full of vinegar and enthusiasm just before taking off for the day trip to the fun park.
6. Etymology: a word that comes from Old French vinaigre, meaning "sour wine"; based on Latin vinum, "wine" + acer, "sour".
3. In pharmacy, a solution of a medicinal substance in dilute acetic acid: Vinegar, as a diluted acetic acid, is a colorless and pungent liquid used in making pharmaceuticals and plastics.
4. A descriptive term for sour or irritable speech, manner, or countenance: The audience recognized a note of vinegar in the speaker's voice.
5. Informal for vigor; high spirits; vim: The children were full of vinegar and enthusiasm just before taking off for the day trip to the fun park.
6. Etymology: a word that comes from Old French vinaigre, meaning "sour wine"; based on Latin vinum, "wine" + acer, "sour".
vinegarish (adjective), more vinegarish, most vinegarish
1. Referring to something tasting slightly like vinegar: When Jill opened the can of beans for dinner, she noticed a vinegarish odor arising, and thought that she shouldn't use it and threw it away.
2. Descriptive of an ill-tempered individual: The old woman next-door seemed to be quite vinegarish with an unpleasant and disagreeable disposition.
2. Descriptive of an ill-tempered individual: The old woman next-door seemed to be quite vinegarish with an unpleasant and disagreeable disposition.
vinegary (adjective), more vinegary, most vinegary
1. Sour; tangy; tart: When Sam made the salad it had quite a vinegary taste but the guests didn't complain.
2. Descriptive of a person who is bitter or unhappy: The two vinegary old men in the bar were arguing and bickering so much that the barkeeper finally threw them out!
3. A liquid that has turned sour by fermentation: A vinegary beverage contains acetic acid and can be made from apples or grapes, as with wine or cider vinegar, or from barley or oats, for example malt vinegar.
2. Descriptive of a person who is bitter or unhappy: The two vinegary old men in the bar were arguing and bickering so much that the barkeeper finally threw them out!
3. A liquid that has turned sour by fermentation: A vinegary beverage contains acetic acid and can be made from apples or grapes, as with wine or cider vinegar, or from barley or oats, for example malt vinegar.
