vitriol

vit·ri·ol  (vtr-l, -l)

n.

1.

a. See sulfuric acid.

b. Any of various sulfates of metals, such as ferrous sulfate, zinc sulfate, or copper sulfate.

2. Bitterly abusive feeling or expression.

tr.v. vit·ri·oled or vit·ri·olled, vit·ri·ol·ing or vit·ri·ol·ling, vit·ri·ols

To expose or subject to vitriol.

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[Middle English, from Old French, from Medieval Latin vitriolum, from Late Latin vitreolum, neuter of vitreolus, of glass, from Latin vitreus; see vitreous.]

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vitriol

Noun

1. language expressing bitterness and hatred

2. sulphuric acid [Latin vitrum glass, referring to the glossy appearance of the sulphates]

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vitriol  (vtr-l, -l)

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). See also blue vitriol.

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	vitriol - (H2SO4) a highly corrosive acid made from sulfur dioxide; widely used in the chemical industry oil of vitriol, sulfuric acid, sulphuric acid acid - any of various water-soluble compounds having a sour taste and capable of turning litmus red and reacting with a base to form a salt atomic number 16, sulfur, sulphur, S - an abundant tasteless odorless multivalent nonmetallic element; best known in yellow crystals; occurs in many sulphide and sulphate minerals and even in native form (especially in volcanic regions) battery acid, electrolyte acid - dilute sulfuric acid used in storage batteries
	2.	vitriol - abusive or venomous language used to express blame or censure or bitter deep-seated ill will invective, vituperation contumely, insult, revilement, vilification, abuse - a rude expression intended to offend or hurt; "when a student made a stupid mistake he spared them no abuse"; "they yelled insults at the visiting team"
Verb	1.	vitriol - expose to the effects of vitriol or injure with vitriol subject - cause to experience or suffer or make liable or vulnerable to; "He subjected me to his awful poetry"; "The sergeant subjected the new recruits to many drills"; "People in Chernobyl were subjected to radiation"
	2.	vitriol - subject to bitter verbal abuse lash out, attack, snipe, assail, assault, round - attack in speech or writing; "The editors of the left-leaning paper attacked the new House Speaker"