As-pĕr'i-ty, n.

n. [Fr. aspérité, Pr. asperitat, Lat. asperitas, from asper, q. v., rough.]

1. Roughness of surface; unevenness; — opposed to smoothness. “The asperities of dry bodies.” Boyle.
2. Roughness or harshness of sound; that quality which grates upon the ear; raucity. Warton.
3. Roughness to the taste; sourness; acrimony.
4. Moral roughness or ruggedness; moroseness; crabbedness. “Asperity of character.” Loudon.

It is no very cynical asperity not to confess obligations where no benefit has been received. Johnson. 5. Sharpness; disagreeableness. “The acclivities and asperities of duty.” Barrow. Syn.— Acrimony; moroseness; crabbedness; harshness; sourness; tartness. See ACRIMONY.