acid

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A chemical substance, often sour or corrosive, that reacts with bases and can dissolve metals.

   The lab stores strong acids in a locked cabinet.

2. 2
   adj

   Having a sour, sharp taste like vinegar or lemon.

   The wine had an unpleasantly acid taste.

3. 3
   adj

   Sharp and unkind in tone.

   His response was harsh and acid.

Appears in

Simplified etymology

Acid entered English in the early 17th century from Latin acidus, meaning “sour-tasting.” It was initially an adjective for sour things; by the middle of that century it had developed its chemical sense because many familiar acids taste sour.

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂eḱ-der. Latin aceō Proto-Indo-European *dʰeh₁-der. Latin -idus Latin acidusbor. French acidebor. English acid From French acide, from Latin acidus (“sour, acid”), from aceō (“to be sour”). Doublet of agita.

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External links

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