Vitriol, n. [F. vitriol; cf. Pr. vitriol, vetriol, Sp. & Pg. vitriolo, It. vitriuolo; fr. L. vitreolus of glass, vitreus vitreous. See Vitreous.].

A sulphate of any one of certain metals, as copper, iron, zinc, cobalt. So called on account of the glassy appearance or luster. [1913 Webster]

Blue vitriol. See under Blue. -- Green vitriol, ferrous sulphate; copperas. See under Green. -- Oil of vitriol, sulphuric or vitriolic acid; -- popularly so called because it has the consistency of oil. -- Red vitriol, a native sulphate of cobalt. -- Vitriol of Mars, ferric sulphate, a white crystalline substance which dissolves in water, forming a red solution. -- White vitriol, zinc sulphate, a white crystalline substance used in medicine and in dyeing. It is usually obtained by dissolving zinc in sulphuric acid, or by roasting and oxidizing certain zinc ores. Formerly called also vitriol of zinc.

Vitriol, v. t. [From Vitriol, n.].

To dip in dilute sulphuric acid; to pickle. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
To vitriolize. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

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OXFORD DICTIONARY

Vitriol, n.
1 sulphuric acid or a sulphate, orig. one of glassy appearance.
2 caustic or hostile speech, criticism, or feeling.

Idiom

copper vitriol copper sulphate. oil of vitriol concentrated sulphuric acid.

Etymology

ME f. OF vitriol or med.L vitriolum f. L vitrum glass

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THESAURUS

Vitriol

acrimony, animosity, animus, bad blood, bitter feeling, bitterness, feud, gall, hard feelings, ill blood, ill feeling, ill will, rancor, soreness, sourness, vendetta, venom, venomousness, virulence

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