bitter: Meaning and Definition of

bit•ter

Pronunciation: (bit'ur), [key]
— adj., n., v., adv. -er, -est,
—adj.
  1. having a harsh, disagreeably acrid taste, like that of aspirin, quinine, wormwood, or aloes.
  2. producing one of the four basic taste sensations; not sour, sweet, or salt.
  3. hard to bear; grievous; distressful: a bitter sorrow.
  4. causing pain; piercing; stinging: a bitter chill.
  5. characterized by intense antagonism or hostility: bitter hatred.
  6. hard to admit or accept: a bitter lesson.
  7. resentful or cynical: bitter words.
—n.
  1. that which is bitter; bitterness: Learn to take the bitter with the sweet.
  2. a very dry ale having a strong taste of hops.
—v.t.
  1. to make bitter: herbs employed to bitter vermouth.
—adv.
  1. extremely; very; exceedingly: a bitter cold night.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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