## Meanings
1. cruel and bitter criticism; savagely hostile or abusive language
2. sulfuric acid, or any of various metal sulfate salts (as in blue vitriol, copper sulfate)
3. to attack with bitter, abusive language

## Examples
- The review was pure vitriol, attacking the author rather than the book.
- In older chemistry texts, oil of vitriol meant concentrated sulfuric acid.
- Commentators vitrioled the referee for hours after the match.

## Synonyms
- vituperation
- invective
- venom
- acrimony
- rancor
- spite
- malice
- abuse

## Antonyms
- praise
- civility
- kindness
- compliment

## Derived Forms
- vitriolic
- vitriolize
- vitriolate
- vitriolage

## Related Forms
- vitreous
- vituperation

## Etymology
From Middle English vitriol, from Old French vitriol, from Medieval Latin vitriolum ("sulfuric acid; sulfate"), from Latin vitrum ("glass") — so named for the glassy lustre of sulfate crystals. The figurative sense, caustic and abusive speech, extends the corrosive acid by metaphor.

## AI Etymology
Vitriol comes from Middle English vitriol, from Old French vitriol, from Medieval Latin vitriolum ("sulfuric acid; sulfate"), from Latin vitrum ("glass"); so named for the glassy lustre of sulfate crystals. The figurative sense, caustic and abusive speech, extends the corrosive acid by metaphor. In current use it is a noun and verb meaning "cruel and bitter criticism; savagely hostile or abusive language". That sense is explained by the older material without requiring a speculative semantic step: the inherited or borrowed base supplies the field of meaning, while the English formation fixes its modern role. The history is mainly one of transmission into English, with the older form and sense carried through borrowing or adaptation. Related English forms include vitreous and vituperation. Derived forms include vitriolic, vitriolize, and vitriolate. The semantic development is therefore important as well as the form: the word moves from the older concrete, technical, or literal setting into the present figurative or specialized sense.

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- Materials & Substances

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