acid
UK: ˈæsɪd | US: ˈæsɪd
n. 1. A chemical substance with a sour taste that reacts with bases to form salts.
adj. 2. Having the properties of an acid; sharp or sour in taste.
adj. 3. (Figurative) Sharp or critical in tone (e.g., "acid remarks").
acid = ac<sharp/sour> + id<adjective suffix>
- ac (from Latin acere, meaning "to be sharp/sour")
- id (a suffix forming adjectives, often indicating a state or quality)
Etymology Origin:
The word "acid" traces back to the Latin acidus (sour), derived from acere (to be sharp). This reflects the sensory link between sharpness (e.g., vinegar’s sting) and sour taste. The scientific use emerged in the 17th century to describe substances that neutralize alkalis. The figurative sense ("sharp-tongued") arose later, mirroring the physical sensation’s metaphorical extension.
Lemon juice contains citric acid, giving it a tangy flavor.
The chemist tested the solution’s pH to confirm it was acidic.
Her acid wit made the debate uncomfortably intense.
Acid rain damages forests and aquatic ecosystems.
The artist used acid to etch designs into the metal plate.