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bitter
- Main Entry:
- 1bit·ter
- Pronunciation:
-
\ˈbi-tər\
- Function:
- 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>
— bit·ter·ish \ˈbi-tə-rish\ adjective — bit·ter·ly adverb
— bit·ter·ness noun
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