verjuice

American  

[vur-joos] / ˈvɜrˌdʒus /

noun

1. an acid liquor made from the sour juice of crab apples, unripe grapes, etc., formerly much used for culinary and other purposes.

2. sourness, as of temper or expression.

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adjective

1. of or relating to verjuice.

2. sour in temper, expression, etc.

verjuice British  

/ ˈvɜːˌdʒuːs /

noun

1. 1. the acid juice of unripe grapes, apples, or crab apples, formerly much used in making sauces, etc

   2. ( as modifier )

      verjuice sauce

2. rare

   1. sourness or sharpness of temper, looks, etc

   2. ( as modifier )

      a verjuice old wife

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verb

1. rare (tr) to make sour; embitter

Etymology

Origin of verjuice

1275–1325; Middle English verjuis < Middle French vertjus, equivalent to vert green (< Latin viridis ) + jus juice

Example Sentences

I have used the hard-to-find verjuice instead of lemon, and once included a little honey in the recipe.

From The Guardian • Oct. 25, 2017

Baggs has got the boot at last and leaves at Christmas, and his pension don't please him, so he's fairly bubbling over with verjuice.

From The Spinners by Phillpotts, Eden

There was also provided 90 gallons of verjuice, at 3d. per gallon; this was a sour juice of unripe grapes, apples, or crabs.

From England in the Days of Old by Andrews, William

The vinegar of her temperament was verging upon verjuice, and the ill opinion of mankind experience enforced had written itself very legibly on her features.

From The Martins Of Cro' Martin, Vol. II (of II) by Lever, Charles James

The wild "Scrab," or Crab Apple, armed with thorns, grows in our fields and hedgerows, furnishing verjuice, which is rich in tannin, and a most useful application for old sprains.

From Herbal Simples Approved for Modern Uses of Cure by Fernie, William Thomas