a. [ad. L. acerb-us harsh to the taste; cf. mod. Fr. acerbe.] Sour, with an addition of bitterness or astringency, as unripe fruit; also fig. sharp and harsh.
1657. Phys. Dict., Acerb, sowr or sharp.
1661. R. Lovell, Anim. & Min. Some are austere and acerb … as rosted quinces, wardens, services.
1751. Chambers, Cycl., s.v., Physicians usually make Acerb an intermediate savour between acid, austere, and bitter.
1766. Lee, in Phil. Trans., LVI. 96. Three drams of a gummy substance intensely bitter and acerb.
1873. Mrs. Whitney, Other Girls (1876), xviii. 241. A kindlier touch to her antitheses than pertained to those of that acerb damsel.
