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vitriol

[ vi-tree-uhl ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

Chemistry. any of certain metallic sulfates of glassy appearance, as copper sulfate or blue vitriol, iron sulfate or green vitriol, zinc sulfate or white vitriol, etc.
oil of vitriol; sulfuric acid.
something highly caustic or severe in effect, as criticism.

verb (used with object)

vitrioled, vitrioling or (especially British) vitriolled, vitriolling.

to treat with or as with vitriol, especially sulfuric acid.

vitriol

/ ˈ��ɪ�ٰ�ɪˌɒ�� /

noun

another name for sulphuric acid
any one of a number of sulphate salts, such as ferrous sulphate ( green vitriol ), copper sulphate ( blue vitriol ), or zinc sulphate ( white vitriol )
speech, writing, etc, displaying rancour, vituperation, or bitterness

verb

to attack or injure with or as if with vitriol
to treat with vitriol

vitriol

A former name for sulfuric acid.
Any of various sulfates of metals, such as ferrous sulfate (green vitriol), zinc sulfate, or copper sulfate (blue vitriol).
See also blue vitriol

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Word History and Origins

Origin of vitriol¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Medieval Latin vitriolum, vitreolum, equivalent to Latin vitre(us) vitreous + -olum, neuter of -olus -ole ¹

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Word History and Origins

Origin of vitriol¹

C14: from Medieval Latin vitriolum, from Late Latin vitriolus glassy, from Latin vitrum glass, referring to the glossy appearance of the sulphates

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Their shared vitriol is palpable and terribly compelling, especially as they navigate this season in the arms of their respective new partners.

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It's a tactic that has, over time, de-escalated a good deal of the vitriol against him.

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The abuse and vitriol that fly into my inbox every time I report on it are really quite something.

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"I'm not immersed in the vitriol," he said.

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I think of all this with my thoughts punctuated by the grim onslaught of transphobic — and broadly queerphobic — legislation promised to be delivered from Congress and the cultural vitriol espoused by our nation’s sitting president.

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Related Words

vitrine vitriolic

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