acidulous

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

Learned borrowing from Latin acidulus (“sourish, acidulous”), diminutive of acidus (“sour, acid”). See acid. By surface analysis, acid + -ule + -ous.

He could remember his boyhood, a drear Sabbatical term of years, spent with a bearded father and a thin, acidulous mother. — Changeling, and Other Stories, Donn Byrne
An acidulous smile played around his mouth, his white beard quivered when he dropped the corners of his lips in satanic glee. — The Goose Man, Jakob Wassermann
Harry's father died, Harry became senior partner in the Bon Ton Store, and Juanita was more acidulous and shrewd and cackling than ever. — Main Street, Sinclair Lewis

acidic, acid, acidulent

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