vitriol

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. -oled r -olled; p. pr. & vb. n. -oling or -olling. ] [ From Vitriol, n. ] 1. (Metal.) To dip in dilute sulphuric acid; to pickle. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

2. To vitriolize. [ Colloq. ] [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

a. Vitriolated. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Vitriolated p. pr. & vb. n. Vitriolating. ] (Old Chem.) (a) To convert into, or change to, a vitriol; to make into sulphuric acid or a sulphate. (b) To subject to the action of, or impregnate with, vitriol. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Old Chem.) A sulphate. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. (Old Chem.) Changed into a vitriol or a sulphate, or subjected to the action of sulphuric acid or of a sulphate; as, vitriolated potash, i. e., potassium sulphate. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Old Chem.) The act, process, or result of vitriolating. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Cf. F. vitriolique. ] 1. (Chem.) Of or pertaining to vitriol; derived from, or resembling, vitriol; vitriolous; as, a vitriolic taste. Cf. Vitriol. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Biting, bitter or caustic; having or expressing strong and unpleasantly negative feelings; -- of speech or feelings; the vitriolic denunciations of opponents by partisan columnists. [ PJC ]

Vitriolic acid (Old Chem.), (a) sulphuric acid. See Vitriol (b). [ Colloq. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Capable of being converted into a vitriol. [ 1913 Webster ]