ac·ri·mo·ny /ˈækrəˌmoni/
嚴厲,辛辣,刻毒
Ac·ri·mo·ny n.; pl. Acrimonies
1. A quality of bodies which corrodes or destroys others; also, a harsh or biting sharpness; as, the acrimony of the juices of certain plants. [Archaic]
2. Sharpness or severity, as of language or temper; irritating bitterness of disposition or manners.
John the Baptist set himself with much acrimony and indignation to baffle this senseless arrogant conceit of theirs. --South.
Syn: -- Acrimony, Asperity, Harshness, Tartness.
Usage: These words express different degrees of angry feeling or language. Asperity and harshness arise from angry feelings, connected with a disregard for the feelings of others. Harshness usually denotes needless severity or an undue measure of severity. Acrimony is a biting sharpness produced by an imbittered spirit. Tartness denotes slight asperity and implies some degree of intellectual readiness. Tartness of reply; harshness of accusation; acrimony of invective.
In his official letters he expressed, with great acrimony, his contempt for the king's character. --Macaulay.
It is no very cynical asperity not to confess obligations where no benefit has been received. --Johnson.
A just reverence of mankind prevents the growth of harshness and brutality. --Shaftesbury.
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acrimony
n : a sharp and bitter manner [syn: bitterness, acerbity, jaundice]