acerbity
UK: əˈsɜːbɪti | US: əˈsɜːrbɪti
n. sharpness or bitterness in tone, temper, or taste
n. harshness or severity, especially in manner or expression
acerbity = acerb<sharp/bitter> + ity<noun suffix>
- acerb (from Latin acerbus, meaning "harsh, bitter")
- ity (noun-forming suffix indicating state or quality, from Latin -itas)
Etymology Origin:
The word acerbity traces back to Latin acerbus, which described something sour or bitter, both literally (e.g., unripe fruit) and figuratively (e.g., harsh speech). Over time, the suffix -ity was added to form a noun denoting the abstract quality of sharpness or severity. The evolution reflects how sensory experiences (taste) metaphorically extended to describe human behavior or language.
Her reply was delivered with such acerbity that the room fell silent.
The critic’s acerbity often overshadowed his valid points.
The lemon’s acerbity made her lips pucker.
His acerbity toward newcomers discouraged teamwork.
The debate was marked by acerbity rather than constructive dialogue.