vitriol Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun (H2SO4) a highly corrosive acid made from sulfur dioxide; widely used in the chemical industry
    oil of vitriol; sulfuric acid; sulphuric acid.
  2. noun abusive or venomous language used to express blame or censure or bitter deep-seated ill will
    invective; vituperation.
  3. verb expose to the effects of vitriol or injure with vitriol
  4. verb subject to bitter verbal abuse

WordNet

Vit"ri*ol noun
Etymology
F. vitriol; cf. Pr. vitriol, vetriol, Sp. & Pg. vitriolo, It. vitriuolo; fr. L. vitreolus of glass, vitreus vitreous. See Vitreous.
Definitions
  1. (Chem.) (a) A sulphate of any one of certain metals, as copper, iron, zinc, cobalt. So called on account of the glassy appearance or luster. (b) Sulphuric acid; -- called also oil of vitriol. So called because first made by the distillation of green vitriol. See Sulphuric acid, under Sulphuric. Colloq.

Webster 1913