n.
Pronunciation: ' vi-tr ē - ə l
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French vitriole, from Medieval Latin vitriolum, alteration of Late Latin vitreolum, neuter of vitreolus glassy, from Latin vitreus vitreous
Date: 14th century
1 a : a sulfate of any of various metals (as copper, iron, or zinc) especially : a glassy hydrate of such a sulfate b : OIL OF VITRIOL
2 : something felt to resemble vitriol especially in caustic quality especially : virulence of feeling or of speech
– vit · ri · ol · ic \ ˌ vi-tr ē - ' ä-lik \ adjective