bitterness definition | Dictionary.com

bit⋅ter

[bit-er]

adjective, -er, -est, noun, verb, adverb

–adjective

1.	having a harsh, disagreeably acrid taste, like that of aspirin, quinine, wormwood, or aloes.

2.	producing one of the four basic taste sensations; not sour, sweet, or salt.

3.	hard to bear; grievous; distressful: a bitter sorrow.

4.	causing pain; piercing; stinging: a bitter chill.

5.	characterized by intense antagonism or hostility: bitter hatred.

6.	hard to admit or accept: a bitter lesson.

7.	resentful or cynical: bitter words.

–noun

8.	that which is bitter; bitterness: Learn to take the bitter with the sweet.

9.	British. a very dry ale having a strong taste of hops.

–verb (used with object)

10.	to make bitter: herbs employed to bitter vermouth.

–adverb

11.	extremely; very; exceedingly: a bitter cold night.

Origin:
bef. 1000; ME, OE biter; c. G bitter, ON bitr, Goth baitrs; akin to bite

Related forms:

bit⋅ter⋅ish, adjective

bit⋅ter⋅ly, adverb

bit⋅ter⋅ness, noun

Synonyms:
1. acrid, biting, distasteful. 3. distressing, poignant, painful. 4. biting, nipping. 5. fierce, cruel, ruthless, relentless. 7. acrimonious, caustic, sardonic, scornful.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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bit·ter (bĭt'ər)

adj. bit·ter·er, bit·ter·est

Having or being a taste that is sharp, acrid, and unpleasant.
Causing a sharply unpleasant, painful, or stinging sensation; harsh: enveloped in bitter cold; a bitter wind.
Difficult or distasteful to accept, admit, or bear: the bitter truth; bitter sorrow.
Proceeding from or exhibiting strong animosity: a bitter struggle; bitter foes.
Resulting from or expressive of severe grief, anguish, or disappointment: cried bitter tears.
Marked by resentment or cynicism: "He was already a bitter elderly man with a gray face" (John Dos Passos).

adv.  In an intense or harsh way; bitterly: a bitter cold night.
tr.v.   bit·tered, bit·ter·ing, bit·ters
To make bitter.
n.

That which is bitter: "all words . . . /Failing to give the bitter of the sweet" (Tennyson).
bitters A bitter, usually alcoholic liquid made with herbs or roots and used in cocktails or as a tonic.
Chiefly British A sharp-tasting beer made with hops.

[Middle English, from Old English; see bheid- in Indo-European roots.]
bit'ter·ly adv., bit'ter·ness n.

Synonyms: These adjectives mean unpleasantly sharp or pungent in taste or smell: a bitter cough syrup; an acerbic green apple; acrid smoke.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Bitterness

Bit"ter*ness\, n. [AS. biternys; biter better + -nys = -ness.]

1. The quality or state of being bitter, sharp, or acrid, in either a literal or figurative sense; implacableness; resentfulness; severity; keenness of reproach or sarcasm; deep distress, grief, or vexation of mind.

The lip that curls with bitterness. --Percival.

I will complain in the bitterness of my soul. --Job vii. 11.

2. A state of extreme impiety or enmity to God.

Thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. --Acts viii. 23.

3. Dangerous error, or schism, tending to draw persons to apostasy.

Looking diligently, . . . lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you. --Heb. xii. 15.

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