Hypertext Webster Gateway: "bitter"
From Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary (easton)
Bitter
Bitterness is symbolical of affliction, misery, and servitude
(Ex. 1:14; Ruth 1:20; Jer. 9:15). The Chaldeans are called the
"bitter and hasty nation" (Hab. 1:6). The "gall of bitterness"
expresses a state of great wickedness (Acts 8:23). A "root of
bitterness" is a wicked person or a dangerous sin (Heb. 12:15).
The Passover was to be eaten with "bitter herbs" (Ex. 12:8;
Num. 9:11). The kind of herbs so designated is not known.
Probably they were any bitter herbs obtainable at the place and
time when the Passover was celebrated. They represented the
severity of the servitude under which the people groaned; and
have been regarded also as typical of the sufferings of Christ.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
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.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
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.
Syn: Acrid; sharp; harsh; pungent; stinging; cutting; severe;
acrimonious.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Bitter \Bit"ter\, n.
Any substance that is bitter. See {Bitters}.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Bitter \Bit"ter\, v. t.
To make bitter. --Wolcott.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
bitter
adj 1: marked by strong resentment or cynicism; "an acrimonious
dispute"; "bitter about the divorce" [syn: {acrimonious}]
2: very difficult to accept or bear; "the bitter truth"; "a
bitter sorrow"
3: harsh or corrosive in tone; "an acerbic tone piercing
otherwise flowery prose"; "a barrage of acid comments";
"her acrid remarks make her many enemies"; "bitter words";
"blistering criticism"; "caustic jokes about political
assassination, talk-show hosts and medical ethics"; "a
sulfurous denunciation" [syn: {acerb}, {acerbic}, {acid},
{acrid}, {blistering}, {caustic}, {sulfurous}, {sulphurous},
{venomous}, {virulent}, {vitriolic}]
4: one of the four basic taste sensations; sharp and
disagreeable; like the taste of quinine
5: expressive of severe grief or regret; "shed bitter tears"
6: proceeding from or exhibiting great hostility or animosity;
"a bitter struggle"; "bitter enemies"
7: causing a sharply painful or stinging sensation; used
especially of cold; "bitter cold"; "a biting wind" [syn: {biting}]
n 1: (British) dry sharp-tasting ale with strong flavor of hops
2: the taste experience when quinine or coffee is taken into
the mouth [syn: {bitterness}]
3: the property of having a harsh unpleasant taste [syn: {bitterness}]
adv : extremely and sharply; "it was bitterly cold"; "bitter cold"
[syn: {piercingly}, {bitterly}, {bitingly}]
v : make bitter
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