Vicia Orobus

Bitter Bit"ter, a. [AS. biter; akin to Goth. baitrs, Icel. bitr, Dan., Sw., D., & G. bitter, OS. bittar, fr. root of E. bite. See {Bite}, v. t.] 1. Having a peculiar, acrid, biting taste, like that of wormwood or an infusion of hops; as, a bitter medicine; bitter as aloes. [1913 Webster]

2. Causing pain or smart; piercing; painful; sharp; severe; as, a bitter cold day. [1913 Webster]

3. Causing, or fitted to cause, pain or distress to the mind; calamitous; poignant. [1913 Webster]

It is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the Lord thy God. --Jer. ii. 19. [1913 Webster]

4. Characterized by sharpness, severity, or cruelty; harsh; stern; virulent; as, bitter reproach. [1913 Webster]

Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. --Col. iii. 19. [1913 Webster]

5. Mournful; sad; distressing; painful; pitiable. [1913 Webster]

The Egyptians . . . made their lives bitter with hard bondage. --Ex. i. 14. [1913 Webster]

{Bitter apple}, {Bitter cucumber}, {Bitter gourd}. (Bot.) See {Colocynth}.

{Bitter cress} (Bot.), a plant of the genus {Cardamine}, esp. {Cardamine amara}.

{Bitter earth} (Min.), tale earth; calcined magnesia.

{Bitter principles} (Chem.), a class of substances, extracted from vegetable products, having strong bitter taste but with no sharply defined chemical characteristics.

{Bitter salt}, Epsom salts; magnesium sulphate.

{Bitter vetch} (Bot.), a name given to two European leguminous herbs, {Vicia Orobus} and {Ervum Ervilia}.

{To the bitter end}, to the last extremity, however calamitous. [1913 Webster]

Syn: Acrid; sharp; harsh; pungent; stinging; cutting; severe; acrimonious. [1913 Webster]