[f. L. acerbāt- ppl. stem of acerbā-re to embitter; f. acerb-us bitter, harsh.] To sour or embitter; usually fig. to exasperate.
[1731. In Bailey, vol. II.
1818. In Todd n.q.]
1845. Lytton, Zanoni, Ep. Ded. The ignoble jealousy and the sordid strife which degrade and acerbate the ambition of Genius.
1862. A. Trollope, North Amer., I. 86. The Canadians … have been vexed and acerbated by the braggadocio of the Northern States.
