Vitriol | Definition of vitriol by Merriam-Webster

Full Definition of VITRIOL

1

a : a sulfate of any of various metals (as copper, iron, or zinc); especially : a glassy hydrate of such a sulfate

b : oil of vitriol

2

: something felt to resemble vitriol especially in caustic quality; especially : virulence of feeling or of speech

— vit·ri·ol·ic \ˌvi-trē-ˈä-lik\ adjective

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Origin of VITRIOL

Middle English, from Anglo-French vitriole, from Medieval Latin vitriolum, alteration of Late Latin vitreolum, neuter of vitreolus glassy, from Latin vitreus vitreous

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to VITRIOL

Synonyms: acidity, acidness, acridity, acridness, asperity, bile, bitterness, cattiness, corrosiveness, mordancy, tartness, virulence, virulency, acrimony

Other Chemical Engineering Terms

alkali, cation, decant, hygroscopic, isotope, oxidize, slurry, solute, viscous

Medical Definition of VITRIOL

1

: a sulfate of any of various metals (as copper, iron, or zinc)

2

: oil of vitriol

Learn More About VITRIOL

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for "vitriol"

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about "vitriol"

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