Vitriol

Pronunciation

• US IPA: /ˈvɪ.tɹi.É™l/

Origin

From Latin vitriolum ("sulphuric acid"), from Latin vitrum ("glass").

Full definition of vitriol

Noun

1. (dated) sulphuric acid and various metal sulphates
2. (by extension) bitterly abusive language
• 2012 November 2, Ken Belson, "http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/03/sports/new-york-city-marathon-will-not-be-held-sunday.html?hp&_r=0," New York Times (retrieved 2 November 2012)For days, online forums sparked with outrage against politicians and race organizers, a tone that turned to vitriol against runners, even from some shaming other runners for being selfish.

Derived terms

• vitriolic
• oil of vitriol
• blue vitriol
• green vitriol
• hurl vitriol
• iron vitriol
• white vitriol

Verb

1. to subject someone to bitter verbal abuse