Bitter \Bit"ter\, a. [AS. biter; akin to Goth. baitrs, Icel.
bitr, Dan., Sw., D., & G. bitter, OS. bittar, fr. root of E.
bite. See Bite, v. t.]
1. Having a peculiar, acrid, biting taste, like that of
wormwood or an infusion of hops; as, a bitter medicine;
bitter as aloes.
2. Causing pain or smart; piercing; painful; sharp; severe;
as, a bitter cold day.
3. Causing, or fitted to cause, pain or distress to the mind;
calamitous; poignant.
It is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast
forsaken the Lord thy God. --Jer. ii. 19.
4. Characterized by sharpness, severity, or cruelty; harsh;
stern; virulent; as, bitter reproach.
Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against
them. --Col. iii.
19.
5. Mournful; sad; distressing; painful; pitiable.
The Egyptians . . . made their lives bitter with
hard bondage. --Ex. i. 14.
Bitter apple, Bitter cucumber, Bitter gourd. (Bot.) See
Colocynth.
Bitter cress (Bot.), a plant of the genus Cardamine, esp.
C. amara.
Bitter earth (Min.), tale earth; calcined magnesia.
Bitter principles (Chem.), a class of substances, extracted
from vegetable products, having strong bitter taste but
with no sharply defined chemical characteristics.
Bitter salt, Epsom salts; magnesium sulphate.
Bitter vetch (Bot.), a name given to two European
leguminous herbs, Vicia Orobus and Ervum Ervilia.
To the bitter end, to the last extremity, however
calamitous.
Syn: Acrid; sharp; harsh; pungent; stinging; cutting; severe;
acrimonious.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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