vitriol

American  

[vi-tree-uhl] / ˈvɪ tri əl /

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.

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verb (used with object)

vitrioled, vitrioling, vitriolled, vitriolling

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

vitriol British  

/ ˈvɪtrɪˌɒl /

noun

1. another name for sulphuric acid

2. any one of a number of sulphate salts, such as ferrous sulphate ( green vitriol ), copper sulphate ( blue vitriol ), or zinc sulphate ( white vitriol )

3. speech, writing, etc, displaying rancour, vituperation, or bitterness

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verb

1. to attack or injure with or as if with vitriol

2. to treat with vitriol

vitriol Scientific  

/ vĭt′rē-ōl′,-əl /

1. A former name for sulfuric acid.

2. Any of various sulfates of metals, such as ferrous sulfate (green vitriol), zinc sulfate, or copper sulfate (blue vitriol).

3. See also blue vitriol

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Etymology

Origin of vitriol

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

Example Sentences

Beijing first let loose a flood of official vitriol at Ms. Takaichi.

From The Wall Street Journal

Now, that is worth remembering - especially when you hear people pour vitriol on the whole idea of heat pumps.

From BBC

There’s only vitriol as he insults reporters as he claims he can do anything he wants.

From Salon

Beijing has described the comment as an escalation and responded with economic pressure and diplomatic vitriol.

From The Wall Street Journal

It still can be overwhelming if she looks at all the vitriol aimed her way online, she said, but “off the internet, it’s a completely different story.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• nastiness
• sarcasm
• venom