Etymology

From LatinCategory:English terms derived from Latin#ACERB acerbus, from LatinCategory:English terms derived from Latin#ACERB ācer (“sharp”): compare French acerbe. See acrid.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /əˈsɜːb/Category:English 2-syllable words#ACERBCategory:English terms with IPA pronunciation#ACERB

• Audio (Southern England):

  (file)

  Category:English terms with audio pronunciation#ACERB
• (General American) IPA^(key): /əˈsɜɹb/Category:English 2-syllable words#ACERBCategory:English terms with IPA pronunciation#ACERB
• Rhymes: -ɜː(ɹ)bCategory:Rhymes:English/ɜː(ɹ)b#ACERBCategory:Rhymes:English/ɜː(ɹ)b/2 syllables#ACERB

Adjective

acerb (comparative acerber or more acerb, superlative acerbest or most acerb)Category:English lemmas#ACERBCategory:English adjectives#ACERBCategory:English entries with incorrect language header#ACERBCategory:Pages with entries#ACERBCategory:Pages with 2 entries#ACERB

1. (archaicCategory:English terms with archaic senses#ACERB) Sour, bitter, and harsh to the taste, such as unripe fruit.

   Synonym: acerbic

   • 1732, Edward Strother, Prælectiones Pharmaco-mathicæ & medico-practicæ:

     If you put Spirit of Sulphur to the Peruvian Bark, it then becomes very acerb. If you mix Mercury with Spirit of Nitre or Oil of Vitriol whilst it boils, it then is very acerb.

     Category:English terms with quotations#ACERB

2. (archaicCategory:English terms with archaic senses#ACERB, figurative) Sharp and harsh in expressing oneself.

   Synonym: acerbic

   • 1909, Canada. Parliament. House of Commons, Debates: Official Report, volume 1, page 1970:

     As to the somewhat acerb remarks of the member for Jacques Cartier, I may pass them over […]

     Category:English terms with quotations#ACERB

     Category:Quotation templates to be cleaned

References

• “acerb”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.

Anagrams

• Brace, brace, caber, cabre, cabré

Etymology

Borrowed from FrenchCategory:Romanian terms borrowed from French#ACERBCategory:Romanian terms derived from French#ACERB acerbe, from LatinCategory:Romanian terms derived from Latin#ACERB acerbus.

Adjective

acerb m or n (feminine singular acerbă, masculine plural acerbi, feminine/neuter plural acerbe)Category:Romanian lemmas#ACERBCategory:Romanian adjectives#ACERBCategory:Romanian entries with incorrect language header#ACERBCategory:Pages with entries#ACERBCategory:Pages with 2 entries#ACERB

1. harsh, unkind