vitriol
[vi-tree-uh l]
- 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.
- oil of vitriol; sulfuric acid.
- something highly caustic or severe in effect, as criticism.
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- to treat with or as with vitriol, especially sulfuric acid.
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Origin of vitriol
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
sarcasm, venom, disdain, malevolence, hostility, maliciousness, virulence, contempt, hatefulnessExamples from the Web for vitriol
Contemporary Examples
Unfortunately, the attention to appearance also leads to copious amounts of vitriol being spewed at famous women every day.
The Outrage Over Beyonce’s Bettie Page Bangs: Why the Media Must Stop Objectifying WomenPhoebe Robinson
October 15, 2014
Indeed, few filmmakers get as much bile and vitriol spewed their way as the man behind Madea.
Threats, intimidation, and the usual Internet vitriol sprouted.
This, in turn, feeds into an outpouring of anti-Arab vitriol on social media.
Just Google “Patrick Wilson Girls backlash,” and wait for the hateful, Lena Dunham-bashing vitriol to bombard your screen.
Historical Examples
In the Coupeau household the vitriol of l'Assommoir was also commencing its ravages.
L'AssommoirEmile Zola
But the cup of retribution is not to be measured by the cup of vitriol.
A Son of HagarSir Hall Caine
Her despair was laced with vitriol and she avoided a kind word about anybody.
Tristram of BlentAnthony Hope
Put 20 drops of weak acid of vitriol into water to be drank at meals.
Zoonomia, Vol. IIErasmus Darwin
So Mrs. Morel bought him elixir of vitriol, his favourite first medicine.
Sons and LoversDavid Herbert Lawrence
vitriol
- another name for sulphuric acid
- any one of a number of sulphate salts, such as ferrous sulphate (green vitriol), copper sulphate (blue vitriol), or zinc sulphate (white vitriol)
- speech, writing, etc, displaying rancour, vituperation, or bitterness
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- to attack or injure with or as if with vitriol
- to treat with vitriol
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Word Origin
C14: from Medieval Latin vitriolum, from Late Latin vitriolus glassy, from Latin vitrum glass, referring to the glossy appearance of the sulphates
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Word Origin and History for vitriol
n.
late 14c., "sulphate of iron," from Old French vitriol (13c.), from Medieval Latin vitriolum "vitriol," from neuter of vitriolus, from Late Latin vitreolus "of glass," from Latin vitreus "of glass, glassy," from vitrium "glass" (see vitreous). So called from its glassy appearance in certain states. Meaning "bitter or caustic feelings" first attested 1769, in reference to the corrosive properties of vitriol (when heated it produces sulfuric acid, formerly called oil of vitriol).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
vitriol
(vĭt′rē-ōl′, -əl)- Any of various sulfates of metals, such as ferrous sulfate, zinc sulfate, or copper sulfate.
- sulfuric acid
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
vitriol
[vĭt′rē-ōl′, -əl]
- A former name for sulfuric acid.
- Any of various sulfates of metals, such as ferrous sulfate (green vitriol), zinc sulfate, or copper sulfate (blue vitriol). See also blue vitriol.
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The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.