embitterv.
/ɪmˈbɪtə/, /ɛmˈbɪtə/, U.S. /əmˈbɪdər/, /ɛmˈbɪdər/ 1. transitive. To make bitter, impart a bitter taste to. Now rare in literal sense.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > taste and flavour > sourness or acidity > make sour [verb (transitive)] > make bitter
sharpa1425
embittera1603
sharpen1675
a1603 T. Cartwright Confut. Rhemists New Test. (1618) 726 When I had eaten it, my bellie was imbittered.
a1674 T. Traherne Christian Ethicks (1675) 369 It is like Wormwood that imbitters the Nipple.
1775 J. Adair Hist. Amer. Indians 122 Warm water, highly imbittered with the button-snake-root.
1834 New Monthly Mag. 40 85 Brewers embitter their beer with hops.
2. figurative. To infuse with bitterness, spoil the sweetness of (existence, pleasures, pursuits, etc.).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > suffering > mental anguish or torment > bitterness of heart > cause bitterness of heart to [verb (transitive)] > make bitter
exasperate1548
fester?1548
embittera1677
out-sharpen1864
a1677 I. Barrow Serm. Several Occasions (1678) 52 Impiety..doth embitter all the conveniencies and comforts of life.
1713 R. Steele in Guardian 1 Apr. 1/1 It would imbitter all the Sweets of Life.
1776 E. Gibbon Decline & Fall I. 395 The last moments of Diocletian were embittered by some affronts.
1820 W. Scott Abbot I. i. 4 Two circumstances only had embittered their union.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. 38 His prosperity was embittered by one insupportable recollection.
1868 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest (1876) II. vii. 89 An act which embittered the remainder of his days.
3. figurative. To make more bitter or painful.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > suffering > cause of mental pain or suffering > exacerbation of suffering > exacerbate suffering [verb (transitive)]
sauce?1518
exasperate1561
aggravate1576
inasperate1592
to set forward1611
exacerbate1660
aggregea1678
sharpen1768
embitter1781
nettle1821
exaggerate1850
1642 T. Fuller Holy State ii. xxii. 142 He imbitters not a distastfull message to a forrein Prince by his indiscretion in delivering it.
1781 E. Gibbon Decline & Fall (1869) II. xli. 516 His actual misery was embittered by the recollection of past greatness.
1790 E. Burke Refl. Revol. in France 53 To aggravate and imbitter that real inequality. View more context for this quotation
1876 J. R. Green Short Hist. Eng. People x. §4. 801 His failure was embittered by heavier disasters elsewhere.
4. figurative. To render (persons or feelings) virulent, intensely hostile or discontented; to exacerbate, intensify (a quarrel, etc.).
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > bad behaviour > unkindness > bitterness > make bitter [verb (transitive)]
fester?1548
infester1570
embitter1635
rancour1654
verjuice1848
the mind > emotion > anger > irascibility > ill-naturedness > sourness or bitterness of temper > make sour or bitter [verb (transitive)]
atterc1540
begall1598
sour1600
ingall1611
embitter1635
1635 R. Sanderson Two Serm. S. Pauls Crosse & Grantham ii. 72 The like censurings and despisings have embittered the spirits.
1682 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Rights Princes (new ed.) ii. 31 Peoples minds were embittered one against another.
1748 B. Robins & R. Walter Voy. round World by Anson ii. iii. 148 The Captain..had much embittered the people against him.
1777 R. Watson Hist. Reign Philip II I. viii. 222 Putting them to death would only serve to embitter the resentment of the people.
1868 E. Edwards Life Sir W. Ralegh I. vi. 98 Personal ill-feeling of long standing..further embittered the old quarrels.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1891; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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