vitriol

vit·ri·ol

noun \ˈvi-trē-əl\

Definition of VITRIOL

1

a : a sulfate of any of various metals (as copper, iron, or zinc); especially : a glassy hydrate of such a sulfate

b : oil of vitriol

2

: something felt to resemble vitriol especially in caustic quality; especially : virulence of feeling or of speech

— vit·ri·ol·ic \ˌvi-trē-ˈä-lik\ adjective

Examples of VITRIOL

1. His speech was full of political vitriol.
2. <a film critic noted for the vitriol and sometimes outright cruelty of his pronouncements>

Origin of VITRIOL

Middle English, from Anglo-French vitriole, from Medieval Latin vitriolum, alteration of Late Latin vitreolum, neuter of vitreolus glassy, from Latin vitreus vitreous

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to VITRIOL

Synonyms

acidity, acidness, acridity, acridness, asperity, bile, bitterness, cattiness, corrosiveness, mordancy, tartness, virulence, virulency, acrimony

Related Words

gruffness, harshness, hostility, relentlessness, severity, sternness, vehemence; coldness, crossness, discourteousness, iciness, impoliteness, incivility, nastiness, rudeness, sourness, surliness, ungraciousness; anger, animosity, gall, jaundice, malevolence, malice, rancor, scorn, spite, spleen, venom, vindictiveness; jealousy, pique, resentment, sour grapes

Near Antonyms

civility, cordiality, courtesy, diplomacy, geniality, graciousness, kindness, politeness, tactfulness; compassion, softness, sweetness, sympathy, tenderness, warmth; oiliness, smoothness, suaveness, suavity, unctuousness, urbanity

Other Chemical Engineering Terms

alkali, cation, decant, hygroscopic, isotope, oxidize, slurry, solute, viscous

vit·ri·ol

noun \ˈvi-trē-əl\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of VITRIOL

1

: a sulfate of any of various metals (as copper, iron, or zinc)

2

: oil of vitriol