Acrimony

Acrimony
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 — acrimony, acerbity, asperity agree in denoting temper or language marked by irritation or some degree of anger or resentment. Acrimony implies bitterness or ill will and also greater stinging or blistering power in what is said than the others… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • acrimony — (n.) 1540s, quality of being acrid, from M.Fr. acrimonie or directly from L. acrimonia sharpness, pungency of taste, figuratively acrimony, severity, energy, from acer sharp (fem. acris, neut. acre; see ACRID (Cf. acrid)) + monia suffix of action …   Etymology dictionary

  • acrimony — index alienation (estrangement), malice, philippic, rancor, resentment, severity, spite, umbrage …   Law dictionary

  • acrimony — [n] nasty behavior, speech acerbity, animosity, antipathy, asperity, astringency, belligerence, bitterness, churlishness, crankiness, harshness, ill will, irascibility, malevolence, malice, mordancy, peevishness, rancor, rudeness, sarcasm, spite …   New thesaurus

  • acrimony — ► NOUN ▪ bitterness or ill feeling. ORIGIN originally in the sense «bitter taste or smell»: from Latin acrimonia, from acer pungent, acrid …   English terms dictionary

  • 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

  • Acrimony — Infobox musical artist | Name = Acrimony Img capt = Img size = Background = group or band Alias = Origin = Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom Genre = Stoner metal Doom metal Years active = 1991 1999 Label = Godhead Records Game Two Records Peaceville …   Wikipedia

  • acrimony — n. bitter, sharp acrimony * * * [ ækrɪmənɪ] sharp acrimony bitter …   Combinatory dictionary

  • acrimony — [[t]æ̱krɪməni, AM moʊni[/t]] N UNCOUNT Acrimony is bitter and angry words or quarrels. [FORMAL] The council s first meeting ended in acrimony …   English dictionary

  • acrimony — /ak reuh moh nee/, n. sharpness, harshness, or bitterness of nature, speech, disposition, etc.: The speaker attacked him with great acrimony. [1535 45; < L acrimonia, equiv. to acri (s. of acer) sharp, sour + monia MONY] Syn. bitterness,… …   Universalium

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