Bitter (Bit"ter) (?), n. [See Bitts.] (Naut.) AA turn of the cable which is round the bitts. -- Bitter end, that part of a cable which is abaft the bitts, and so within board, when the ship rides at anchor. 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. 2. Causing pain or smart; piercing; painful; sharp; severe; as, a bitter cold day. 3. Causing, or fitted to cause, pain or distress to the mind; calamitous; poignant. "It is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the Lord thy God." Jer. ii. 19. 4. Characterized by sharpness, severity, or cruelty; harsh; stern; virulent; as, bitter reproach. "Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them." Col. iii. 19. 5. Mournful; sad; distressing; painful; pitiable. "The Egyptians . . . made their lives bitter with hard bondage." Ex. i. 14. -- Bitter apple, Bitter cucumber, Bitter gourd. (Bot.) See Colocynth. -- Bitter cress (Bot.), a plant of the genus Cardamine, esp. C. 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. Synonyms -- Acrid; sharp; harsh; pungent; stinging; cutting; severe; acrimonious. Bitter (Bit"ter) (?), n. Any substance that is bitter. See Bitters. Bitter (Bit"ter), v. t. To make bitter. Wolcott. |
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