acerbic

acerbic
adjective /əˈsɜrbɪk/
a) Sour or bitter.

Those consumers who object to the acerbic taste of garlic can purchase de-odorized garlic or allicin extract.

b) Sarcastic or cynical.

Supercompetent, superconfident and supercritical, Schmidt is a gifted orator whose acerbic wit earned him the nickname "Schmidt the Lip."


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  • Acerbic — A*cerb ic, a. Sour or severe. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • acerbic — index bitter (acrid tasting), harsh, mordacious Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • acerbic — (adj.) 1865, originally, and usually, figurative: sour, harsh, severe (of speech, manners, etc.), from L. acerbus harsh to the taste, sharp, bitter, sour (see ACERBITY (Cf. acerbity)) + IC (Cf. ic) …   Etymology dictionary

  • acerbic — [adj] bitter, sharp, or sour acidic, acrid, astringent, caustic, harsh, sharp, tart; concept 613 …   New thesaurus

  • acerbic — ► ADJECTIVE 1) sharp and forthright. 2) archaic or technical tasting sour or bitter. DERIVATIVES acerbically adverb acerbity noun. ORIGIN from Latin acerbus sour tasting …   English terms dictionary

  • acerbic — [ə sʉr′bik] adj. [Fr acerbe < L acerbus: see ACERBITY] 1. sour in taste 2. sharp, bitter, or harsh in temper, language, etc …   English World dictionary

  • acerbic — [[t]əsɜ͟ː(r)bɪk[/t]] ADJ GRADED Acerbic humour is critical and direct. [FORMAL] Comments I have made in a spirit of slightly acerbic wit have been misunderstood... His lyrics are as acerbic and poignant as they ever have been. Syn: sharp …   English dictionary

  • acerbic — adjective Date: 1865 acid in temper, mood, or tone < acerbic commentary > < an acerbic reviewer > • acerbically adverb …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • acerbic — acerbically, adv. /euh serr bik/, adj. 1. sour or astringent in taste: Lemon juice is acerbic. 2. harsh or severe, as of temper or expression: acerbic criticism. [1860 65; < L acerb(us) sour, unripe, bitterly harsh + IC, irreg. for OUS] * * * …   Universalium

  • acerbic — adj. Acerbic is used with these nouns: ↑wit …   Collocations dictionary

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