acidity

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English[edit]

Etymology[edit]

From French acidité, from Latin aciditātem, accusative singular of aciditās (sourness, acidity), from acidus (sour, acid). Equivalent to acid +‎ -ity.

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Noun[edit]

acidity (countable and uncountable, plural acidities)

  1. The quality or state of being acid.
  2. Sourness; tartness; sharpness to the taste.
    the acidity of lemon juice
    Empty stomachs lead to acidity and leave a sour taste in the mouth.
  3. (pathology) Excessive acid quality, as in gastric secretions.
  4. (figurative) A caustic, sour, biting, or bitter quality.
    • 1912, Arthur Conan Doyle, The Lost World [], London, New York, N.Y.: Hodder and Stoughton, →OCLC:
      "What shall we call it?" he asked. "Why should you not take the chance of perpetuating your own name?" said Summerlee, with his usual touch of acidity.
    • 1913, Arthur Conan Doyle, “The Time of Death”, in The Poison Belt [], London; New York, N.Y.: Hodder and Stoughton, →OCLC, page 60:
      It was a brave, good speech, a speech from that staunch and strong spirit which lay behind all the acidities and angularities of the old zoologist.

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