figurative. With reference to the bitterness of gall. to dip one's pen in gall, to write with virulence and rancour. Cf. quot. 1641 at sense 3a.

Bitterness; sharpness of taste. Cf. smart, adj. 5b. Obsolete.

figurative. Sourness; bitterness. Obsolete.

Bitter pungency to the organs of taste or smell, or to the skin, throat, etc.; acridity. Also: an instance or state of this; (concrete) a substance…

The quality of being acrid; a combination of bitterness to the taste with irritancy or corrosion to the mucous membrane; pungent, inflammatory, or…

The quality of being bitter to the taste; bitter taste or flavour. Obsolete.

Sourness or harshness of taste, mingled with bitterness or astringency. In early use also: †toxicity (obsolete).

Sharpness of taste or smell, keenness, acridness. Also figurative: acrimoniousness.

Roughness of savour, tartness, acridity, acrimony. archaic.

= acridity, n.

The quality of being acrid; acridity.

Harshness or asperity of taste. Obsolete.

= acerbity, n.

Bitterness.

The quality or state of being bitter. to taste.