vitriol
Americannoun
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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.
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oil of vitriol; sulfuric acid.
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something highly caustic or severe in effect, as criticism.
verb (used with object)
noun
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another name for sulphuric acid
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any one of a number of sulphate salts, such as ferrous sulphate ( green vitriol ), copper sulphate ( blue vitriol ), or zinc sulphate ( white vitriol )
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speech, writing, etc, displaying rancour, vituperation, or bitterness
verb
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to attack or injure with or as if with vitriol
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to treat with vitriol
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A former name for sulfuric acid.
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Any of various sulfates of metals, such as ferrous sulfate (green vitriol), zinc sulfate, or copper sulfate (blue vitriol).
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See also blue vitriol
Etymology
Origin of vitriol
1350–1400; Middle English < Medieval Latin vitriolum, vitreolum, equivalent to Latin vitre(us) vitreous + -olum, neuter of -olus -ole 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
There were few left in the away end at the final whistle so Vicario will have been spared the vitriol at the City Ground but there are few places to hide.
From BBC
It is England's attitude that seems to cause so much vitriol from their critics and attention from the local media.
From BBC
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.
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.
From BBC
Uncensored vitriol, it turns out, is not a conduit to compromise and consensus.
From Los Angeles Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
