acerbity

Word Origin & History

1570s, from Middle French acerbité, from Latin acerbitatem (nominative acerbitas) "harshness, sharpness, bitterness," from acerbus "bitter to taste, sharp, sour, tart" (related to acer "sharp;" cf. Latin superbus "haughty," from super "above"), from Proto-Italic *akro-po- "sharp," from PIE *ak- "sharp" (see acrid). Earliest use in English is figurative, of "sharp and bitter" persons. Of tastes, from 1610s.

Example Sentences foracerbity

Now, she spoke with some acerbity in her voice, which could at will be wondrous soft and low.

“I would have thought her mother should have kept her in order,” said Rachel with acerbity.

After a time Mern suggested with acerbity that Craig was incoherent.

"You have promised me," he began, with a note of acerbity in his voice.

Much annoyed, I answered with some acerbity, bidding her kindly to be gone.

"I was thinking of her losing me," replied Mr. Chalk, with a touch of acerbity.

"Not my friend, a mere acquaintance," Vane replies with acerbity.

"I have no doubt he is a thief," continued Aunt Maria, with acerbity.

"I mean what I say," returned Alice with a touch of acerbity.

"And a jolly lot that means to me," retorted Masters, with acerbity.

acerbity

strictness

stringency

temper

tetchiness

toughness

trenchancy

virulence

virulency

acerbity

More words related to acerbity