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.
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2. Causing pain or smart; piercing; painful; sharp; severe;
as, a bitter cold day.
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3. Causing, or fitted to cause, pain or distress to the mind;
calamitous; poignant.
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It is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast
forsaken the Lord thy God. --Jer. ii. 19.
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4. Characterized by sharpness, severity, or cruelty; harsh;
stern; virulent; as, bitter reproach.
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Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against
them. --Col. iii.
19.
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5. Mournful; sad; distressing; painful; pitiable.
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The Egyptians . . . made their lives bitter with
hard bondage. --Ex. i. 14.
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{Bitter apple}, {Bitter cucumber}, {Bitter gourd}. (Bot.) See
{Colocynth}.
{Bitter cress} (Bot.), a plant of the genus {Cardamine}, esp.
{Cardamine 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.
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Syn: Acrid; sharp; harsh; pungent; stinging; cutting; severe;
acrimonious.
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