acerbity

Some of Hills acerbity may have been absorbed from Richardson, hurt by the writers silence.

(p. 505) "I would add that the above message lost none of its acerbity by the manner of its delivery."

The old maid, who is far from an attractive example of her tribe, is looking venom and acerbity personified.

"Thank ye kindly," the big man replied with some acerbity, and plunged out into the darkness and rain.

"No, and you wasn't tellin' me that you had a bill of sale of the fixin's and furniture," replied the Cap'n with acerbity.