Asperities

1 definition found

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

  Asperity \As*per"i*ty\, n.; pl. {Asperities}. [L. asperitas, fr.
     asper rough: cf. F. asp['e]rit['e].]
     1. Roughness of surface; unevenness; -- opposed to
        {smoothness}. "The asperities of dry bodies." --Boyle.
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     2. Roughness or harshness of sound; that quality which grates
        upon the ear; raucity.
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     3. Roughness to the taste; sourness; tartness.
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     4. Moral roughness; roughness of manner; severity;
        crabbedness; harshness; -- opposed to {mildness}.
        "Asperity of character." --Landor.
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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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     5. Sharpness; disagreeableness; difficulty.
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              The acclivities and asperities of duty. --Barrow.
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     Syn: Acrimony; moroseness; crabbedness; harshness; sourness;
          tartness. See {Acrimony}.
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