[bit.ter.sweet] n (14c) 1: something that is bittersweet; esp: pleasure alloyed with pain
2. a: a sprawling poisonous weedy nightshade (Solanum dulcamara) with purple flowers and oval reddish orange berries b: a No. American woody climbing plant (Celastrus scandens) of the staff-tree family having clusters of small greenish flowers succeeded by yellow capsules that open when ripe and disclose the scarlet aril
[2]bittersweet adj (1611) 1: being at once bitter and sweet; esp: pleasant but including or marked by elements of suffering or regret "a ~ ballad"
2: of or relating to a prepared chocolate containing little sugar -- bit.ter.sweet.ly adv -- bit.ter.sweet.ness n