bit•ter
Pronunciation: (bit'ur), [key]
— adj., n., v., adv. -er, -est,
—adj.
- having a harsh, disagreeably acrid taste, like that of aspirin, quinine, wormwood, or aloes.
- producing one of the four basic taste sensations; not sour, sweet, or salt.
- hard to bear; grievous; distressful: a bitter sorrow.
- causing pain; piercing; stinging: a bitter chill.
- characterized by intense antagonism or hostility: bitter hatred.
- hard to admit or accept: a bitter lesson.
- resentful or cynical: bitter words.
—n.
- that which is bitter; bitterness: Learn to take the bitter with the sweet.
- a very dry ale having a strong taste of hops.
—v.t.
- to make bitter: herbs employed to bitter vermouth.
—adv.
- extremely; very; exceedingly: a bitter cold night.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.