‖n. [ L. spiritus asper rough breathing. ] (Greek Gram.) The rough breathing; a mark (&asper_;) placed over an initial vowel sound or over ρ to show that it is aspirated, that is, pronounced with h before it; thus
a. [ OE. aspre, OF. aspre, F. âpre, fr. L. asper rough. ] Rough; rugged; harsh; bitter; stern; fierce. [ Archaic ] “An asper sound.” Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]
‖ n. [ F. aspre or It. aspro, fr. MGr.
v. t.
The asperated part of its surface. Boyle. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. The act of asperating; a making or becoming rough. Bailey. [ 1913 Webster ]
‖n. [ L., Thou shalt sprinkle. ] (R. C. Ch.)
a. [ Aspergillum + -form. ] (Bot.) Resembling the aspergillum in form;
☞ By some applied to the natural order now called Boraginaceæ or borageworts. [ 1913 Webster ]
n.;
It is no very cynical asperity not to confess obligations where no benefit has been received. Johnson. [ 1913 Webster ]
The acclivities and asperities of duty. Barrow. [ 1913 Webster ]