Bitter

a. [A.-S. biter, O. S. bittar, Goth. baitrs, Icel. bitr, Dan., Sw., D., & Ger. bitter, from bite, v. t.]

1Sense 1. Having a peculiar, acrid, biting taste, like wormwood; as, a bitter medicine; bitter as aloes.

2Sense 2. Causing pain or smart to the sense of feeling; piercing; painful; as, a bitter cold day. “Bitter blast.” Dryden.

3Sense 3. Causing, or fitted to cause, pain or distress to the mind; calamitous; poignant. “Bitter regret.” Macaulay.

It is an evil thing, and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the Lord thy God. Jer. ii. 19.

4Sense 4. Characterized by sharpness, severity, or cruelty; harsh; stern; as, bitter reproach. “Bitterest enmity.” Shak.

Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. Col. iii. 19.

5Sense 5. Mournful; distressing; pitiable.

The Egyptians . . . made their lives bitter with hard bondage. Ex. i. 14.

Even to-day is my complaint bitter. Job xxiii. 2.

Make thee mourning, as for an only son, most bitter lamentation. Jer. vi. 26.

n. A substance that is bitter. See BITTERS.

n. [See BITTS.] (Naut.) A turn of the cable which is round the bitts.

Bitter-end, that part of a cable which is abaft the bitts, and therefore within board, when the ship rides at anchor. Totten.