Bitter
Bitter ({not transcribed}) , noun
[See Bitts.]
(Nautical) AA turn of the cable which is round the bitts.
Collocations (1)
Bitter end , that part of a cable which is abaft the bitts, and so within board, when the ship rides at anchor.
Bitter ({not transcribed}) , adjective
[Anglo-Saxon biter; akin to Gothic baitrs, Icelandic bitr, Danish, Swedish, Dutch, & German bitter, Old Saxon bittar, from root of English bite. See Bite, transitive verb]
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.
4.
Characterized by sharpness, severity, or cruelty; harsh; stern; virulent; as, bitter reproach.
Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.
5.
Mournful; sad; distressing; painful; pitiable.
The Egyptians... made their lives bitter with hard bondage.
Collocations (7)
Bitter cress (Botany) , a plant of the genus Cardamine, esp. Cardamine amara.
Bitter earth (Mineralogy) , tale earth; calcined magnesia.
Bitter principles (Chemistry) , 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 (Botany) , a name given to two European leguminous herbs, Vicia Orobus and Ervum Ervilia.
To the bitter end , to the last extremity, however calamitous.
Bitter ({not transcribed}) , noun
Any substance that is bitter. See Bitters.
Bitter , transitive verb
To make bitter. — Wolcott