Bitters

pl. The common name for an infusion of bitter herbs, which is consumed in large quantities as a stomachic, generally mixed with ardent spirits. The plant usually selected for the preparation of B. is the garden Angelica, (see ARCHANGELIC A,) the roots and seeds being used; gentian, qua ia, aloes, wild cherry, ., are more commonly used in the United States. Bit'ter-salt, n. The EPSOM SALT, q . v. Bit'ter-spar, n. ( Min .) The crystallized variety of dolomite or magnesian limestone; so called because it resembles calcareous spar, and contains magnesia, the salts of which are bitter. Bit'ter-sweet, n. ( Bot . ) See SOLANUM. Bitter-vetch, n. ( Bot .) See OROBUS. Bit'ter-wort, n. ( Bot .) See GENTIAN A. Bit'ter-weed, n. ( Bot . ) A name of Ambrosia arte misia - folia . See AMBROSIA. 1871, and annexed to the German Empire.