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more about acrimony
acrimony |
2 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Acrimony \Ac"ri*mo*ny\, n.; pl {Acrimonies}. [L. acrimonia fr acer, sharp: cf F. acrimonie.] 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] --Bacon. 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. From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: acrimony n : a sharp and bitter manner [syn: {bitterness}, {acerbity}, {jaundice}]
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