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bitters

[ bit-erz ]
/ ˈbɪt ərz /
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noun (used with a plural verb)

a liquid, often an alcoholic liquor, in which bitter herbs or roots have steeped, used as a flavoring, especially in mixed drinks, or as a tonic.
Pharmacology.
  1. a liquid, usually alcoholic, impregnated with abitter medicine, as gentian or quassia, used to increase the appetite or as a tonic.
  2. bitter medicinal substances in general, as quinine.

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Origin of bitters

First recorded in 1705–15; bitter + -s3

Words nearby bitters

bitter principle, bitterroot, Bitterroot Range, Bitterroot River, bitter rot, bitters, bittersweet, bitterweed, bitterwood, bitterwort, bitting
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Words related to bitters

aroma, aftertaste, annoy, disillusion, aggravate, exasperate, irritate, disaffect, sour, exacerbate, sweet, sting, zing, zip, savor, jolt, bang, bitter, kick, zest

Example sentences from the Web for bitters

British Dictionary definitions for bitters

bitters
/ (ˈbɪtəz) /

pl n

bitter-tasting spirits of varying alcoholic content flavoured with plant extracts
a similar liquid containing a bitter-tasting substance, used as a tonic to stimulate the appetite or improve digestion
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
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