acrimony
(ˈækrɪmənɪ)
[ad. L. ācrimōnia pungency, f. ācri-s sharp; see -mony. Cf. Fr. acrimonie ad. from the L. about the same time as the Eng. word, and possibly its actual model.]
1. Biting sharpness to the taste or other bodily sense; pungency; irritancy; acridity. arch.
| 1542 Becon Christm. Banq. 68 (1843) The acrimony and tartness of this dish shall so pierce your stomachs, that it shall minister to you an appetite and lust to devour the other the more greedily. 1578 Lyte Dodoens 55 Pimpernell is hoate and dry without any acrimonie, or byting sharpnesse. 1635 J. Swan Spec. Mundi vi. §2, 195 (1643) Water strained through ashes is endued with a certain tart and salt kind of acrimonie. 1711 F. Fuller Medic. Gymn. 88 When the Blood of a Poor Consumptive Wretch is..loaded with Acrimony. 1804 Abernethy Surg. Observ. 227 The effect of the acrimony of the putrid blood. 1830 Lindley Nat. Syst. Bot. 214 [The milk⁓tree] is described..to yield a copious stream of thick, rich, milky fluid, destitute of all acrimony. 1876 Gross Dis. Urin. Org. 23 To allay the acrimony of this fluid. |
2. Sharp or irritating bitterness of disposition or manner.
| 1618 Sir H. May in Fortescue Papers 47 Which may stir up a fresh acrimony in your Lordship towardes me. 1630 Naunton Fragm. Reg. (1870) 16 Emulations, which are apt to rise and vent in obloquious acrimony (even against the Prince). a 1674 Clarendon Hist. Rebel. I. i. 22 They who flattered him most Before, mentioned him Now with the greatest bitterness and acrimony. 1770 Langhorne Plutarch's Lives I. 195/2 (1879) Cleon attacked him with great acrimony. 1803 Wellington Gen. Disp. II. 461 There is no occasion for interference or acrimony of expression. 1858 Froude Hist. Eng. III. xvi. 401 The acrimonies which the debate had kindled. |