acerbate I. ac·er·bate\ˈasə(r)ˌbāt\transitive verb (-ed/-ing/-s) Etymology: Latin acerbatus, past participle of acerbare, from acerbus : irritate, exasperate II. acer·bate\əˈsərbə̇t, -sə̄b-\adjective Etymology: Latin acerbatus : irritated, exasperated : harsh < acerbate and profane writing >