acerbity
UK/ә'sә:biti/US
GREC2
Definitions
n.
Harshness or bitterness of manner, speech, or temper.
（态度、言语的）尖刻，刻薄，严厉。
n.
Bitterness or sourness of taste.
（味道的）酸涩，苦涩。
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedacerb (bitter) + -ity (state/quality) = 'the quality of being bitter or harsh.' It's the noun for acerbic — the sharpness in someone's tone, or, less often, the sourness of a taste.
Root acerb still carries 3 more wordsCommon Collocations
- 1.with acerbity语带尖刻
- 2.a note of acerbity一丝刻薄
- 3.characteristic acerbity一贯的尖酸
Example Sentences
- 1.
She replied with an acerbity that silenced the room.
- 2.
There was a note of acerbity in his otherwise polite letter.