vitriol

views updated Jun 27 2018

vit·ri·ol / ˈvitrēəl; -ˌôl/ • n. archaic or poetic/lit. sulfuric acid. ∎ fig. cruel and bitter criticism: her mother's sudden gush of fury and vitriol.DERIVATIVES: vit·ri·ol·ic / ˌvitrēˈälik/ adj.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

vitriol

views updated Jun 27 2018

vitriol sulphate of iron, copper, etc. XIV; oil of v. concentrated sulphuric acid XVI; caustic speech, feeling, etc. XVIII. — (O)F. vitriol or medL. vitriolum, f. L. vitrum glass; so named on account of the glassy appearance of vitriol salts.
So vitriolic XVII.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

More From encyclopedia.com

About this article

vitriol

All Sources -
Updated Aug 08 2016 About encyclopedia.com content Print Topic

You Might Also Like