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acidulous

[uh-sij-uh-luh s]
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adjective
  1. slightly sour.
  2. sharp; caustic: his acidulous criticism of the book.
  3. moderately acid or tart; subacid.
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Also acidulent.

Origin of acidulous

From the Latin word acidulus, dating back to 1760–70. See acid, -ulous
Related formssub·a·cid·u·lous, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for acidulous

Historical Examples

  • She is an acidulous maiden person with ultra-ritualistic tendencies.

    The Spenders

    Harry Leon Wilson

  • She might marry or might miss, or grow into an acidulous red-headed woman.

    The Wind Bloweth

    Brian Oswald Donn-Byrne

  • Sudden, thunderous outpourings of acidulous and gluey fluid.

    After the Rain

    Sam Vaknin

  • Fragrant; golden yellow; tastes oily, acidulous, and resinous.

  • The product is yellowish and acidulous, from the presence of acetic acid.

British Dictionary definitions for acidulous

acidulous

acidulent

adjective
  1. rather sour
  2. sharp or sour in speech, manner, etc; acid
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Word Origin

C18: from Latin acidulus sourish, diminutive of acidus sour
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for acidulous

adj.

1769, "sub-acidic," used figuratively for "sour-tempered;" from Latin acidulus "slightly sour," a diminutive of acidus (see acid (adj.)).

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
acidulous in Medicine

acidulous

(ə-sĭj′ə-ləs)
adj.
  1. Slightly acid or sour.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.