bitter English · revision 6365

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=inherited|attested=c. 725|origins=gem-pro *bitraz}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈbɪt.ə/ ''(UK)''; /ˈbɪt.ɚ/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|ang|biter|t=sharp, cutting; harsh-tasting; angry]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024) from [[gem-pro|*bitraz]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) cognate with [[osx|bittar]], [[de|bitter]], [[non|bitr]] and [[got|𐌱𐌰𐌹𐍄𐍂𐍃|tr=baitrs]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) probably from the base of [[bite]], from PIE [[ine-pro|*bʰeyd-|t=to split]].^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(Cresswell 2021)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Having a harsh taste; also figuratively, cruel or full of animosity: Old English, about 725 in ''Beowulf''.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Etymonline suggests the sense drifted in prehistoric times from ''biting'' to ''pungent, acrid-tasting''.^(Etymonline) Painful to endure, as ''a bitter loss'', is from 971,^(OED 1989) and unpleasant to accept from 1810.^(OED 1989) Of wind or cold, intensely sharp, follows.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023) The noun, bitter beer strongly flavoured with hops, is a British use,^(Collins 2023)^(AHD) and ''bitters'' are bitter liquors used in cocktails.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023) Word Origins notes that ''to the bitter end'' (mid-19th century) probably comes not from this word but from the nautical bitter, the last part of a cable round the bitts.^(Cresswell 2021)^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 725 – harsh-tasting; cruel.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 971 – painful to endure.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1810 – hard to accept.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1849 – to the bitter end.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Having a sharp, harsh taste; not [[sweet]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Angry and hurt because of unfair treatment; [[resentful]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Causing pain or grief: ''a bitter disappointment''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Intensely cold: ''a bitter wind''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Full of hatred: ''bitter enemies''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # ''(British)'' Beer strongly flavoured with [[hops]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''bitters'': a bitter alcoholic liquor used in cocktails.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[bitterly]]

+ * [[bitterness]]

+ * [[bitterish]]

+ * [[bitterroot]]

+ * [[bitterweed]]

+ * [[bitterwood]]

+ * [[embitter]]

+ * [[imbitter]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[bite]]

+ * [[bit]]

+ * [[bittersweet]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}