acerbic
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acerbic
- /əˈsɜː(ɹ)bɪk/ UK
- /əˈsərbɪk/ US
Rhymes with -ɜː(ɹ)bɪk
Where it comes from
Etymology tree
Proto-Indo-European *h₂eḱ-
Proto-Indo-European *-rós
Proto-Indo-European *h₂eḱrós
Proto-Italic *akris
Proto-Indo-European *dʰeh₁-
Proto-Indo-European *-dʰh₁-os
Proto-Italic *-iðos
Proto-Italic *akriðos
Latin acerbusder.
English acerbic
Attested since the 17th century, from Latin acerbus (“sour, bitter”).
adjective more acerbic · most acerbic
- Tasting sour or bitter. Those consumers who object to the acerbic taste of garlic can purchase de-odorized garlic or allicin extract.
- Sharp, harsh, biting. Supercompetent, superconfident and supercritical, Schmidt is a gifted orator whose acerbic wit earned him the nickname "Schmidt the Lip."
