acrimony

n.; pl. Acrimonies [ L. acrimonia, fr. acer, sharp: cf. F. acrimonie. ] 1. A quality of bodies which corrodes or destroys others; also, a harsh or biting sharpness; as, the acrimony of the juices of certain plants. [ Archaic ] Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Sharpness or severity, as of language or temper; irritating bitterness of disposition or manners. [ 1913 Webster ]

John the Baptist set himself with much acrimony and indignation to baffle this senseless arrogant conceit of theirs. South. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Acrimony, Asperity, Harshness, Tartness. These words express different degrees of angry feeling or language. Asperity and harshness arise from angry feelings, connected with a disregard for the feelings of others. Harshness usually denotes needless severity or an undue measure of severity. Acrimony is a biting sharpness produced by an imbittered spirit. Tartness denotes slight asperity and implies some degree of intellectual readiness. Tartness of reply; harshness of accusation; acrimony of invective. [ 1913 Webster ]

In his official letters he expressed, with great acrimony, his contempt for the king's character. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

It is no very cynical asperity not to confess obligations where no benefit has been received. Johnson. [ 1913 Webster ]

A just reverence of mankind prevents the growth of harshness and brutality. Shaftesbury. [ 1913 Webster ]