bitter

I. adjective Etymology: Middle English, from Old English biter; akin to Old High German bittar bitter, Old English bītan to bite — more at bite Date: before 12th century 1. a. being or inducing the one of the four basic taste sensations that is peculiarly acrid, astringent, or disagreeable and suggestive of an infusion of hops — compare salt, sour, sweet b. distasteful or distressing to the mind ; galling <

a bitter sense of shame

> 2. marked by intensity or severity: a. accompanied by severe pain or suffering <

a bitter death

> b. being relentlessly determined ; vehement <

a bitter partisan

> c. exhibiting intense animosity <

bitter enemies

> d. (1) harshly reproachful <

bitter complaints

> (2) marked by cynicism and rancor <

bitter contempt

> e. intensely unpleasant especially in coldness or rawness <

a bitter wind

> 3. expressive of severe pain, grief, or regret <

bitter tears

> • bitterish adjective • bitterly adverb • bitterness noun II. noun Date: before 12th century 1. bitter quality 2. a. plural a usually alcoholic solution of bitter and often aromatic plant products used especially in preparing mixed drinks or as a mild tonic b. British a very dry heavily hopped ale III. transitive verb Date: 12th century to make bitter <

bittered ale

> IV. adverb Date: 1749 to a bitter degree <

it's bitter cold

>