acerb-, acerbo-; acri-, acrid-
(Latin: bitter, sharp, sour, stinging)
Formed from a blend of Latin acer- (feminine acris, neuter acre) which are both related to Latin acus, "needle"; acies, "sharp edge, point, the front of an army, line of battle, battle array"; and acuere, "to sharpen".
acerb, acerbic
1. Having a bitter or sour taste.
2. Sharp or bitter in temper, mood, or expression.
acerbate
1. To make sour or bitter.
2. To irritate, vex, or annoy.
acerbity
1. Sourness of taste, with bitterness and astringency, as of unripe fruit.
2. Harshness, bitterness, or severity; as, acerbity of temper, of language, or of pain.
acerbophobia
An abnormal fear of sour or bitter tasting foods or liquids.
acerbophobia, acerophobia
Excessive fear of sourness. Such fears may lead to avoidance of acerbic (sour) foods or other products.
acerose
Sharp pointed and slender, as a pine needle.
acidiferous
Producing or yielding an acid.
acidulous
1. Acid or sour.
2. Slightly sour, sourish, sub-acid; somewhat acidic.
3. Cutting and sharp in speech or tone.
acrid
1. Sharp, bitter, stinging, or irritating to the taste or smell.
2. Bitter, caustic, or sarcastic in speech, etc.
acridian
acridine
A dye, dye intermediate, and antiseptic precursor derived from coal tar and irritating to the skin and to the mucous membranes.
acridity
acridly
acridness
acrimonious
Bitter and caustic in temper, manner, or speech.
Cross references of word families that are related directly, or indirectly, to: "sour, sharp":
aceto-;
acid-;
acies- (not "sour");
acuto- (not "sour");
oxy-;
pung- (not "sour").
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