British type of beer which as the name implies is slightly bitter.
The larger bitter producers include Boddingtons, Tetley and Bass although some of the better beers are made by much smaller regional breweries.

Bit"ter (?), n. [See Bitts.] Naut.

AA turn of the cable which is round the bitts.

Bitter end, that part of a cable which is abaft the bitts, and so within board, when the ship rides at anchor.

 

© Webster 1913.


Bit"ter (?), a. [AS. biter; akin to Goth. baitrs, Icel. bitr, Dan., Sw., D., & G. bitter, OS. bittar, fr. root of E. bite. See Bite, v. t.]

1.

Having a peculiar, acrid, biting taste, like that of wormwood or an infusion of hops; as, a bitter medicine; bitter as aloes.

2.

Causing pain or smart; piercing; painful; sharp; severe; as, a bitter cold day.

3.

Causing, or fitted to cause, pain or distress to the mind; calamitous; poignant.

It is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the Lord thy God. Jer. ii. 19.

4.

Characterized by sharpness, severity, or cruelty; harsh; stern; virulent; as, bitter reproach.

Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. Col. iii. 19.

5.

Mournful; sad; distressing; painful; pitiable.

The Egyptians . . . made their lives bitter with hard bondage. Ex. i. 14.

Bitter apple, Bitter cucumber, Bitter gourd. Bot. See Colocynth. -- Bitter cress Bot., a plant of the genus Cardamine, esp. C. amara. -- Bitter earth Min., tale earth; calcined magnesia. -- Bitter principles Chem., a class of substances, extracted from vegetable products, having strong bitter taste but with no sharply defined chemical characteristics. -- Bitter salt, Epsom salts;; magnesium sulphate. -- Bitter vetch Bot., a name given to two European leguminous herbs, Vicia Orobus and Ervum Ervilia. -- To the bitter end, to the last extremity, however calamitous.

Syn. -- Acrid; sharp; harsh; pungent; stinging; cutting; severe; acrimonious.

 

© Webster 1913.


Bit"ter (?), n.

Any substance that is bitter. See Bitters.

 

© Webster 1913.


Bit"ter, v. t.

To make bitter.

Wolcott.

 

© Webster 1913.

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