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.