[ad. L. ācrimōnia pungency, f. ācri-s sharp; see -MONY. Cf. Fr. acrimonie ad. from the L. about the same time as the Eng. word, and possibly its actual model.]
1. Biting sharpness to the taste or other bodily sense; pungency; irritancy; acridity. arch.
1542. Becon, Christm. Banq., 68 (1843). The acrimony and tartness of this dish shall so pierce your stomachs, that it shall minister to you an appetite and lust to devour the other the more greedily.
1578. Lyte, Dodoens, 55. Pimpernell is hoate and dry without any acrimonie, or byting sharpnesse.
1635. J. Swan, Spec. Mundi, vi. § 2, 195 (1643). Water strained through ashes is endued with a certain tart and salt kind of acrimonie.
1711. F. Fuller, Medic. Gymn., 88. When the Blood of a Poor Consumptive Wretch is … loaded with Acrimony.
1804. Abernethy, Surg. Observ., 227. The effect of the acrimony of the putrid blood.
1830. Lindley, Nat. Syst. Bot., 214. [The milk-tree] is described … to yield a copious stream of thick, rich, milky fluid, destitute of all acrimony.
1876. Gross, Dis. Urin. Org., 23. To allay the acrimony of this fluid.
2. Sharp or irritating bitterness of disposition or manner.
1618. Sir H. May, in Fortescue Papers, 47. Which may stir up a fresh acrimony in your Lordship towardes me.
1630. Naunton, Fragm. Reg. (1870), 16. Emulations, which are apt to rise and vent in obloquious acrimony (even against the Prince).
a. 1674. Clarendon, Hist. Rebel., I. I. 22. They who flattered him most Before, mentioned him Now with the greatest bitterness and acrimony.
1770. Langhorne, Plutarch’s Lives, I. 195/2 (1879). Cleon attacked him with great acrimony.
1803. Wellington, Gen. Disp., II. 461. There is no occasion for interference or acrimony of expression.
1858. Froude, Hist. Eng., III. xvi. 401. The acrimonies which the debate had kindled.
