Friday, May 7, 2010

word of the day - may 7 10

vitriol
noun
1. 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.
2. oil of vitriol; sulfuric acid.
3. something highly caustic or severe in effect, as criticism.

verb
4. to treat with or as with vitriol, esp. sulfuric acid.

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