bitter end

bitter end

n.

1. A final, painful, or disastrous extremity.

2. Nautical The inboard end of a chain, rope, or cable, especially the end of a rope or cable that is wound around a bitt.

---

[English bitter, bitt (bitt + -er) + end. Sense 1, influenced by bitter.]

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

bitter end

n

1. (Nautical Terms) nautical the end of a line, chain, or cable, esp the end secured in the chain locker of a vessel

2.

a. to the bitter end until the finish of a task, job, or undertaking, however unpleasant or difficult

b. until final defeat or death

[C19: in both senses perhaps from bitt]

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

bit•ter end

(ˈbɪt ər ˈɛnd for 1; ˈbɪt ər ˌɛnd for 2 )
n.

1. the conclusion of a difficult or unpleasant situation.

2. the inboard end of an anchor chain or other line.

[1620–30 in form bitters end]

Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.

bitter end

The last extremity; from the end of a rope on a sailing ship being tied around a bitt (post for securing ropes).

Dictionary of Unfamiliar Words by Diagram Group Copyright © 2008 by Diagram Visual Information Limited

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	bitter end - the final extremity (however unpleasant it may be); "he was determined to fight to the bitter end" extremity - an extreme condition or state (especially of adversity or disease)
	2.	bitter end - (nautical) the inboard end of a line or cable especially the end that is wound around a bitt sailing, seafaring, navigation - the work of a sailor line - something (as a cord or rope) that is long and thin and flexible; "a washing line" end, terminal - either extremity of something that has length; "the end of the pier"; "she knotted the end of the thread"; "they rode to the end of the line"; "the terminals of the anterior arches of the fornix"

Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.