SuaviloquyToday’s word

acerbity

Acerbity, n.

Etymology: [F. acerbité, L. acerbitas, fr. acerbus. See Acerb.]

1. Sourness of taste, with bitterness and astringency, like that of unripe fruit.

2. Harshness, bitterness, or severity; as, acerbity of temper, of language, of pain. Barrow.

Shades of meaning

Fernald has no entry of its own for acerbity; he lists it under acrimony.

Where he writes about it:

Acerbity is a sharpness, with a touch of bitterness, which may arise from momentary annoyance or habitual impatience; asperity is keener and more pronounced, denoting distinct irritation or vexation; in speech asperity is often manifested by the tone of voice rather than by the words that are spoken. — from acrimony