vitriol

American  

[vi-tree-uhl] / ˈvɪ tri əl /

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.

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verb (used with object)

vitrioled, vitrioling, vitriolled, vitriolling

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

vitriol British  

/ 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

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verb

1. to attack or injure with or as if with vitriol

2. to treat with vitriol

vitriol Scientific  

/ vĭt′rē-ōl′,-əl /

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

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Etymology

Origin of vitriol

1350–1400; Middle English < Medieval Latin vitriolum, vitreolum, equivalent to Latin vitre(us) vitreous + -olum, neuter of -olus -ole ¹

Explanation

Vitriol is harsh, nasty criticism. You may have deserved some blame when the cake didn't rise, but the head chef's stream of vitriol was unnecessary. Back in the day, vitriol was the name for sulfuric acid, which burns through just about anything. So think of vitriol as language so mean-spirited and bitter that it could eat through metal: "As a divorce lawyer, you were familiar with vitriol, but nothing prepared you for the time you wore a Red Sox cap at Yankee Stadium."

Related Words

• nastiness
• sarcasm
• venom