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)

vitrioled, vitrioling , vitriolled, vitriolling .

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

vitriol

/ ˈvɪtrɪˌɒl /

noun

1. 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

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

The statement followed a week of vitriol in which Takaichi was repeatedly denounced by Chinese officials and told to stay out of what Beijing says are purely Chinese affairs.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

It was all a vicious distortion, though an omen of the vitriol that now dominates our politics.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But in the past 10 years, ever since the right to gay marriage was secured in 2015, further divisions have emerged and expanded, along with growing rancor and vitriol.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Stewart was also in the media firing line, given the vitriol that has been directed his way by some of the club's own supporters.

Read more on BBC

Uncensored vitriol, it turns out, is not a conduit to compromise and consensus.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• nastiness www.thesaurus.com
• sarcasm 
• venom