Dictionary

1bittersweet

noun bit·ter·sweet \ˈbi-tər-ˌswēt\

Definition of BITTERSWEET

1
:  something that is bittersweet; especially :  pleasure alloyed with pain
2
a :  a poisonous Eurasian woody vine (Solanum dulcamara) of the nightshade family that has purple flowers and oval reddish berries and is naturalized in North America
b :  a North American poisonous woody vine (Celastrus scandens) of the staff-tree family having clusters of small greenish flowers succeeded by yellow capsules that open when ripe and disclose the scarlet aril
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First Known Use of BITTERSWEET

14th century

Other Seed Plant Terms

aubergine, box, bramble, briar, composite, perpetual, pulse, trefoil

2bittersweet

adjective

: having both bitter and sweet flavors

: combining sadness and happiness

Full Definition of BITTERSWEET

1
:  being at once bitter and sweet; especially :  pleasant but including or marked by elements of suffering or regret <a bittersweet ballad>
2
:  of or relating to a prepared chocolate containing little sugar
bit·ter·sweet·ly adverb
bit·ter·sweet·ness noun

First Known Use of BITTERSWEET

1576

Other Food Terms

Reuben, calamari, chuck, curry, edamame, foie gras, hummus, leaven, nonpareil, peel
BITTERSWEET Defined for Kids

1bittersweet

noun bit·ter·sweet \ˈbi-tər-ˌswēt\

Definition of BITTERSWEET for Kids

1
:  a poisonous vine originally of Europe and Asia with purple flowers and red berries
2
:  a poisonous North American woody climbing plant with orange seed capsules that open when ripe to reveal red seeds

2bittersweet

adjective

Definition of BITTERSWEET for Kids

:  being partly bitter or sad and partly sweet or happy <He had bittersweet memories of summer camp.>
Medical Dictionary

bittersweet

noun bit·ter·sweet \ˈbit-ər-ˌswēt, ˌbit-ər-ˈ\

Medical Definition of BITTERSWEET

:  a sprawling poisonous weedy nightshade (Solanum dulcamara) with purple flowers and oval reddish orange berries that is the source of dulcamara
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