asperity

noun as·per·i·ty \a-ˈsper-ə-tē, ə-, -ˈspe-rə-\

: harshness of behavior or speech that expresses bitterness or anger

plural as·per·i·ties

Full Definition of ASPERITY

: rigor, severity

a : roughness of surface : unevenness; also : a tiny projection from a surface

b : roughness of sound

: roughness of manner or of temper : harshness <asked with some asperity just what they were implying>

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Origin of ASPERITY

Middle English asprete, from Anglo-French aspreté, from aspre rough, from Latin asper, from Old Latin *absperos, from ab- ab- + -speros; akin to Sanskrit apasphura repelling, Latin spernere to spurn — more at spurn

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to ASPERITY

Synonyms: acerbity, acidity, acidness, acridity, acridness, acrimoniousness, acrimony, acuteness, edge, bite, bitterness, harshness, keenness, poignance, poignancy, pungency, roughness, sharpness, tartness

Antonyms: mildness, softness

Rhymes with ASPERITY

alterity, austerity, celerity, dexterity, legerity, posterity, prosperity, severity, sincerity, temerity

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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for "asperity"

Spanish Central: Spanish translation of "asperity"

Nglish: Translation of "asperity" for Spanish speakers

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