Acrimonies

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  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.
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     2. Sharpness or severity, as of language or temper;
        irritating bitterness of disposition or manners.
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              John the Baptist set himself with much acrimony and
              indignation to baffle this senseless arrogant
              conceit of theirs.                    --South.
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     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.
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                  In his official letters he expressed, with great
                  acrimony, his contempt for the king's character.
                                                    --Macaulay.
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                  It is no very cynical asperity not to confess
                  obligations where no benefit has been received.
                                                    --Johnson.
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                  A just reverence of mankind prevents the growth
                  of harshness and brutality.       --Shaftesbury.
            [1913 Webster] acrisia