GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 4 definitions

1.       
   Bitter (), n. [See Bitts.] (Naut.) AA turn of the cable which is round the bitts.
   
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   Bitter end, that part of a cable which is abaft the bitts, and so within board, when the ship rides at anchor.
   
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2.       
   Bitter (), 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”.
   
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   2. Causing pain or smart; piercing; painful; sharp; severe; as, “a bitter cold day”.
   
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   3. Causing, or fitted to cause, pain or distress to the mind; calamitous; poignant.
   
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   It is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the Lord thy God. Jer. ii. 19.
   
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   4. Characterized by sharpness, severity, or cruelty; harsh; stern; virulent; as, “bitter reproach”.
   
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   Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. Col. iii. 19.
   
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   5. Mournful; sad; distressing; painful; pitiable.
   
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   The Egyptians . . . made their lives bitter with hard bondage. Ex. i. 14.
   
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   Bitter apple, Bitter cucumber, Bitter gourd. (Bot.) See Colocynth. -- Bitter cress (Bot.), a plant of the genus Cardamine, esp. Cardamine 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.
   
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   Syn. -- Acrid; sharp; harsh; pungent; stinging; cutting; severe; acrimonious.
   
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3.       
   Bitter (), n. Any substance that is bitter. See Bitters.
   
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4.       
   Bitter, v. t. To make bitter.  Wolcott.
   
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