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vitriolic

(Science: chemistry) Of or pertaining to vitriol; derived from, or resembling, vitriol; vitriolous; as, a vitriolic taste. Cf. Vitriol.

(Science: chemistry) Vitriolic acid, sulphuric acid. See vitriol .

Origin: Cf. F. Vitriolique. Harsh or corrosive in tone; an acerbic tone piercing otherwise flowery prose; a barrage of acid comments; her acrid remarks make her many enemies; bitter words; blistering criticism; caustic jokes about political assassination, talk-show hosts and medical ethics; a sulfurous denunciation.