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.

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.