Ac"ri*mo*ny (&?;), n.; pl.
Acrimonies (&?;). [L. acrimonia, fr. acer,
sharp: cf. F. acrimonie.] 1. A quality of
bodies which corrodes or destroys others; also, a harsh or biting
sharpness; as, the acrimony of the juices of certain plants.
[Archaic] Bacon.
2. Sharpness or severity, as of language or temper;
irritating bitterness of disposition or manners.
John the Baptist set himself with much acrimony and
indignation to baffle this senseless arrogant conceit of theirs.
South.
Syn. -- Acrimony, Asperity, Harshness,
Tartness. These words express different degrees of angry feeling or
language. Asperity and harshness arise from angry feelings,
connected with a disregard for the feelings of others. Harshness
usually denotes needless severity or an undue measure of severity.
Acrimony is a biting sharpness produced by an imbittered spirit.
Tartness denotes slight asperity and implies some degree of
intellectual readiness. Tartness of reply; harshness of
accusation; acrimony of invective.
In his official letters he expressed, with great
acrimony, his contempt for the king's character.
Macaulay.
It is no very cynical asperity not to confess
obligations where no benefit has been received.
Johnson.
A just reverence of mankind prevents the growth of
harshness and brutality.
Shaftesbury.
