asperity

as·per·i·ty

noun \a-ˈsper-ə-tē, ə-, -ˈspe-rə-\

plural as·per·i·ties

Definition of ASPERITY

1

: rigor, severity

2

a : roughness of surface : unevenness; also : a tiny projection from a surface

b : roughness of sound

3

: roughness of manner or of temper : harshness <asked with some asperity just what they were implying>

Examples of ASPERITY

1. <doesn't like the asperity of most experimental music>
2. <she responded with such asperity that we knew she was deeply offended by the question>

Origin of ASPERITY

Middle English asprete, from Anglo-French aspreté, from aspre rough, from Latin asper, from Old Latin *absperos, from ab- ab- + -speros; akin to Sanskrit apasphura repelling, Latin spernere to spurn — more at spurn

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to ASPERITY

Synonyms

acerbity, acidity, acidness, acridity, acridness, acrimoniousness, acrimony, acuteness, edge, bite, bitterness, harshness, keenness, poignance, poignancy, pungency, roughness, sharpness, tartness

Antonyms

mildness, softness

Related Words

ginger, punch, spice, tang; raucousness, severeness, severity, shrillness, virulence, vitriol; cattiness, maliciousness; pointedness, thorniness

Near Antonyms

gentleness, kindliness

Rhymes with ASPERITY

alterity, austerity, celerity, dexterity, legerity, posterity, prosperity, severity, sincerity, temerity