Acrimonies

Acrimonies
Acrimony Ac"ri*mo*ny, n.; pl. {Acrimonies}. [L. acrimonia, fr. acer, sharp: cf. F. acrimonie.] 1. A quality of bodies which corrodes or destroys others; also, a harsh or biting sharpness; as, the acrimony of the juices of certain plants. [Archaic] --Bacon. [1913 Webster]

2. Sharpness or severity, as of language or temper; irritating bitterness of disposition or manners. [1913 Webster]

John the Baptist set himself with much acrimony and indignation to baffle this senseless arrogant conceit of theirs. --South. [1913 Webster]

Syn: {Acrimony}, {Asperity}, {Harshness}, {Tartness}.

Usage: These words express different degrees of angry feeling or language. Asperity and harshness arise from angry feelings, connected with a disregard for the feelings of others. Harshness usually denotes needless severity or an undue measure of severity. Acrimony is a biting sharpness produced by an imbittered spirit. Tartness denotes slight asperity and implies some degree of intellectual readiness. Tartness of reply; harshness of accusation; acrimony of invective. [1913 Webster]

In his official letters he expressed, with great acrimony, his contempt for the king's character. --Macaulay. [1913 Webster]

It is no very cynical asperity not to confess obligations where no benefit has been received. --Johnson. [1913 Webster]

A just reverence of mankind prevents the growth of harshness and brutality. --Shaftesbury. [1913 Webster] ||


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • acrimony — /ˈækrəməni / (say akruhmuhnee), Originally US / moʊni/ (say mohnee) noun (plural acrimonies) sharpness or severity of temper; bitterness of expression proceeding from anger or ill nature. {Latin ācrimōnia} Usage: The pronunciation /ˈækrəmoʊni/ is …  

  • acrimony — [ak′ri mō΄nē] n. pl. acrimonies [L acrimonia, sharpness < acer, sharp < IE base * ak̑ : see ACID] bitterness or harshness of temper, manner, or speech; asperity …   English World dictionary

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