vitriol

[ vi-tree-uhl ]

noun

1. Chemistry. any of certain metallic sulfates of glassy appearance, as copper sulfate or blue vitriol, iron sulfate or green vitriol, zinc sulfate or white vitriol, etc.
2. oil of vitriol; sulfuric acid.
3. something highly caustic or severe in effect, as criticism.

verb (used with object)

, vit·ri·oled, vit·ri·ol·ing or (especially British) vit·ri·olled, vit·ri·ol·ling.

1. to treat with or as with vitriol, especially sulfuric acid.

vitriol

/ ˈvɪtrɪˌɒl /

noun

1. See sulphuric acid
   another name for sulphuric acid
2. any one of a number of sulphate salts, such as ferrous sulphate ( green vitriol ), copper sulphate ( blue vitriol ), or zinc sulphate ( white vitriol )
3. speech, writing, etc, displaying rancour, vituperation, or bitterness

verb

1. to attack or injure with or as if with vitriol
2. to treat with vitriol

vitriol

/ vĭt′rē-ōl′,-əl /

1. A former name for sulfuric acid.
2. Any of various sulfates of metals, such as ferrous sulfate (green vitriol), zinc sulfate, or copper sulfate (blue vitriol).
3. See also blue vitriol

Word History and Origins

Origin of vitriol¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Medieval Latin vitriolum, vitreolum, equivalent to Latin vitre(us) vitreous + -olum, neuter of -olus -ole ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of vitriol¹

C14: from Medieval Latin vitriolum, from Late Latin vitriolus glassy, from Latin vitrum glass, referring to the glossy appearance of the sulphates

Example Sentences

Also, I know now how it feels to be on the receiving end of incredible vitriol.

From Washington Post

Anderson understands better than most the vitriol that Wilson inspires in fans of other NHL teams.

From Washington Post

Oshie’s performance came in vivid contrast to the vitriol that opened the game.

From Washington Post

The vitriol also obscures a broader imperative, Relman says, which is that uncovering the virus’s origins is crucial to stopping the next pandemic.

From MIT Technology Review

My son did, because I was incapable of taking the vitriol out of the reviews to get to the usable entity, the observation aisle and the delivery mode.

From Washington Post

Unfortunately, the attention to appearance also leads to copious amounts of vitriol being spewed at famous women every day.

From The Daily Beast

Indeed, few filmmakers get as much bile and vitriol spewed their way as the man behind Madea.

From The Daily Beast

Threats, intimidation, and the usual Internet vitriol sprouted.

From The Daily Beast

This, in turn, feeds into an outpouring of anti-Arab vitriol on social media.

From The Daily Beast

Just Google “Patrick Wilson Girls backlash,” and wait for the hateful, Lena Dunham-bashing vitriol to bombard your screen.

From The Daily Beast

Her despair was laced with vitriol and she avoided a kind word about anybody.

From Project Gutenberg

They were found to be made of green vitriol, starch and sugar.

From Project Gutenberg

Dissolve in the filtrate some white vitriol of the size of a pea.

From Project Gutenberg

By mixing clay and oil of vitriol, in the way described under Alum.

From Project Gutenberg

It was a small bottle bearing a stained chemist's label and the word "Vitriol."

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• nastiness
• sarcasm
• venom