a. [f. L. asper (see ASPER) + -OUS. Cf. glabrous, dexterous, etc.]
1. Rough, rugged. (Now only in technical use.)
1547. Boorde, Brev. Health, ccclviii. 115. [Cough] doth come … of a reume distyllynge to the asperous arture.
1678. Rycaut, Grk. Ch., 243 (T.). They [cells of hermits] are all built in the rocks, and have a craggy and asperous ascent to them.
1752. Lisle, Husb., 12. Arenous and sandy earths … consist of sharp and asperous angles.
1880. Gray, Bot. Text-Bk., 397. Asperous, rough to the touch.
† 2. Harsh to the senses; rough-tasted. Obs.
1670. Beale, in Phil. Trans., V. 1156. The asperous, and yet appeasing Particles in some Liquors.
† 3. Harsh to the feelings; bitter, cruel, severe.
1556. Abp. Parker, Psalter xxxviii. Thy irefull dartes be asperous.
1606. Warner, Alb. Eng., ci. 398. A long and asperous Warre.
1653. A. Wilson, James I., 125. The asperous edge of Opinion might be taken off.
† 4. Fierce, savage; cf. ASPER a. 5. Obs.
1650. T. Bayly, Herba Parietis, 78. The asperous vermine sets all the venemous nailes … into his trembling flesh.
