acrimonious (akrimonius)

[F. acri monieux =Pg. acrimonioso, rare.] If gall cannot be rendered acrimonious and bitter of Harvey, Consumption. itself. 2. Figuratively, severe; bitter; virulent; caustic; stinging: applied to language, temper, etc. The factions have the cunning to say, that the bitterne of their spirit is owing to the harsh and acrimonious treatment they receive. Ames , Works, II. 113. If we knew the man, we should see that to return an acrimonious answer would be the most ridiculous of all po ible modes of retort. Whipple , E . and Rev., I. 139. IMG:content-0199.png:[blocks in formation] acrid (ak'rid), a. and n. [First in 18th century; F. dcre = Sp. Pg. It. acre ), sharp, pungent; with termination due to the kindred L. acid us, sharp, sharp, sour: see acid.] I. a. 1. Sharp or biting to the tongue or integuments; bitterly pungent; irritating: as, acrid salts. Acrid substances are those which excite in the organs of taste a sensation of pungency and heat, and when applied to the skin irritate and inflame it. Acrid poisons, including those also called corrosive and escharotic, are those which irritate, corrode, or burn the parts to which they are applied, producing an intense burning sensation, and acute pain in the alimentary canal. They include concentrated acids and alkalis, compounds of mercury, arsenic, copper, etc. The acrid little jets of smoke which escaped from the joints of his stove from time to time annoyed him. Howells, A Modern Instance, iii. 2. Figuratively, severe; virulent; violent; stinging: as, “ acrid temper," Cowper, Charity. II. n. 1. An acrid poison: as, "a powerful acrid," Pereira, Mat. Med.-2. One of a cla of morbific substances supposed by the humorists to exist in the humors. acridia (a-krid'i-ä), n. pl. [NL., pl. of Acrid ium.] Members of the gra hopper family, or the family itself, considered without special reference to its rank in cla ification. Also called acridii. See Acridida. acridian (a-krid'i-an), a. and n. I. a. Belonging or relating to the Acrididæ. II. n. One of the acridia. Acrididæ, Acridiidæ (a-krid'i-dē, ak-ri-di'idē), n. pl. [NL., acrimonious manner; sharply; bitterly; pungently. acrimoniousne (ak-ri-mō'ni-us-nes), n. The state or quality of being acrimonious. acro rights. Severity has a wide range of meaning, expre ing often that which is justified or nece ary, and often that which is harsh or hard; as applied to language or conduct it is a weighty word. We may speak of acrimony in debate or of feeling; asperity of manner; harshne of con duct, language, requirements, terms, treatment; severity of censure, punishment, manner; tartne reply; sourne of aspect; bitterne of spirit, feeling, retort; viru lence and rancor of feeling and language. It is well known in what terms of acrimony and personal hatred Swift attacked Dryden. Godwin, The Enquirer, p. 379. The orators of the opposition declared against him with great animation and asperity . Macaulay , Hist. Eng., v. He that by harshne of nature and arbitrarine of commands uses his children like servants is what they mean by a tyrant. Sir W. Temple. Severity , gradually hardening and darkening into misanthropy, characterizes the works of Swift. Macaulay , Add is on. The Dean [Swift], the author of all the mirth, preserves an invincible gravity and even sourne of aspect. Macaulay , Add is on. To expre themselves with smartne against the errors of men, without bitterne against their persons. Steele , Tatler, No. 242. No authors draw upon themselves more displeasure than those who deal in political matters, which is justly incurred, considering that spirit of rancour and virulence with which works of this nature abound. Add is on. They hate to mingle in the filthy fray, Where the soul sours, and gradual rancour grows, Imbittered more from peevish day to day. Thomson , Castle of Indolence, i. 17.