Vitriol: Chemical and Figurative Meanings
Vitriol (noun) has three distinct senses:
- Chemistry – Sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄); historically "oil of vitriol." Also refers to metal sulfates (blue vitriol = CuSO₄, green vitriol = FeSO₄).
- Rhetoric – Bitterly caustic, scathing language ("vitriolic criticism").
- Emotion – Deep‑seated bitterness, spite, or hatred ("spew vitriol").
Etymology: Latin vitriolum (glassy), from appearance of sulfate crystals.
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