n. [ OE. bitoure, betore, bitter, fr. F. butor; of unknown origin. ] (Zool.) A wading bird of the genus Botaurus, allied to the herons, of various species. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ The common European bittern is Botaurus stellaris. It makes, during the brooding season, a noise called by Dryden bumping, and by Goldsmith booming. The American bittern is Botaurus lentiginosus, and is also called stake-driver and meadow hen. See Stake-driver. [ 1913 Webster ]

The name is applied to other related birds, as the least bittern (Ardetta exilis), and the sun bittern. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ From Bitter, a. ] 1. The brine which remains in salt works after the salt is concreted, having a bitter taste from the chloride of magnesium which it contains. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A very bitter compound of quassia, cocculus Indicus, etc., used by fraudulent brewers in adulterating beer. Cooley. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ AS. biternys; biter better + -nys = -ness. ] 1. The quality or state of being bitter, sharp, or acrid, in either a literal or figurative sense; implacableness; resentfulness; severity; keenness of reproach or sarcasm; deep distress, grief, or vexation of mind. [ 1913 Webster ]

The lip that curls with bitterness. Percival. [ 1913 Webster ]

I will complain in the bitterness of my soul. Job vii. 11. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A state of extreme impiety or enmity to God. [ 1913 Webster ]

Thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. Acts viii. 23. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Dangerous error, or schism, tending to draw persons to apostasy. [ 1913 Webster ]

Looking diligently, . . . lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you. Heb. xii. 15. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Bot.) The swamp hickory (Carya amara). Its thin-shelled nuts are bitter. [ 1913 Webster ]