Word Study
acerb
CIDE DICTIONARY
acerb, a. [L. acerbus, fr. acer sharp: cf. F. acerbe. See Acrid.].
Sour, bitter, and harsh to the taste, as unripe fruit; sharp and harsh. [1913 Webster]
ROGET THESAURUS
acerb
Bitterness
N bitterness, acridness, acridity, acrimony, caustic, alkali, acerbity, gall, wormwood, bitters, astringent bitters, Angostura, aromatic bitters, sourness, pungency, alkaloids, turmeric, bitter, bitterish, acrid, acerb, acerbic, bitter as gall, bitter pill to take, sugar coating on a bitter pill.Sourness
N sourness, acid, acidity, low pH, acetous fermentation, lactic fermentation, vinegar, verjuice, crab, alum, acetic acid, lactic acid, sour, acid, acidulous, acidulated, tart, crabbed, acetous, acetose, acerb, acetic, sour as vinegar, sourish, acescent, subacid, styptic, hard, rough, sour as a lemon, (4) Odor.For further exploring for "acerb" in Webster Dictionary Online