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bitter (adj.)

Old English biter "having a harsh taste, sharp, cutting; angry, full of animosity; cruel," from Proto-Germanic *bitras- (source also of Old Saxon bittar, Old Norse bitr, Dutch bitter, Old High German bittar, German bitter, Gothic baitrs "bitter"), from suffixed form of PIE root *bheid- "to split" (source also of Old English bitan "to bite;" see bite (v.)). Evidently the meaning drifted in prehistoric times from "biting, of pungent taste," to "acrid-tasting." Used figuratively in Old English of states of mind and words. Related: Bitterly.

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Definitions of bitter from WordNet
1
bitter (adj.)
marked by strong resentment or cynicism;
bitter about the divorce
Synonyms: acrimonious
bitter (adj.)
very difficult to accept or bear;
the bitter truth
a bitter sorrow
bitter (adj.)
harsh or corrosive in tone;
bitter words
Synonyms: acerb / acerbic / acid / acrid / blistering / caustic / sulfurous / sulphurous / virulent / vitriolic
bitter (adj.)
expressive of severe grief or regret;
shed bitter tears
bitter (adj.)
proceeding from or exhibiting great hostility or animosity;
a bitter struggle
bitter enemies
bitter (adj.)
causing a sharp and acrid taste experience;
quinine is bitter
bitter (adj.)
causing a sharply painful or stinging sensation; used especially of cold;
bitter cold
Synonyms: biting
2
bitter (n.)
English term for a dry sharp-tasting ale with strong flavor of hops (usually on draft);
bitter (n.)
the taste experience when quinine or coffee is taken into the mouth;
Synonyms: bitterness
bitter (n.)
the property of having a harsh unpleasant taste;
Synonyms: bitterness
3
bitter (v.)
make bitter;
4
bitter (adv.)
extremely and sharply;
bitter cold
Synonyms: piercingly / bitterly / bitingly
From wordnet.princeton.edu

Dictionary entries near bitter

biting

bitmap

bitsy

bitt

bitten

bitter

bitter end

bittern

bitterness

bitters

bittersweet

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