Bit"ter*ing, n. A bitter compound used in adulterating beer; bittern.
Bit"ter*ish, a. Somewhat bitter. Goldsmith.
Bit"ter*ling (&?;), n. [G.] (Zoöl.) A roachlike European fish (Rhodima amarus).
Bit"ter*ly, adv. In a bitter manner.
Bit"tern (&?;), n. [OE. bitoure, betore, bitter, fr. F. butor; of unknown origin.] (Zoöl.) A wading bird of the genus Botaurus, allied to the herons, of various species.
The common European bittern is Botaurus stellaris. It makes, during the brooding season, a noise called by Dryden bumping, and by Goldsmith booming. The American bittern is B. lentiginosus, and is also called stake-driver and meadow hen. See Stake- driver.
The name is applied to other related birds, as the least bittern (Ardetta exilis), and the sun bittern.
Bit"tern, n. [From Bitter, a.] 1. The brine which remains in salt works after the salt is concreted, having a bitter taste from the chloride of magnesium which it contains.
2. A very bitter compound of quassia, cocculus Indicus, etc., used by fraudulent brewers in adulterating beer. Cooley.
Bit"ter*ness (&?;), n. [AS. biternys; biter better + -nys = -ness.] 1. The quality or state of being bitter, sharp, or acrid, in either a literal or figurative sense; implacableness; resentfulness; severity; keenness of reproach or sarcasm; deep distress, grief, or vexation of mind.
The lip that curls with bitterness.
Percival.
I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.
Job vii. 11.