I. ˈvi.trēəl, chiefly in substand speech -rəl noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French, from Medieval Latin vitriolum, from Late Latin vitreolum, neuter of vitreolus glassy, from Latin vitreus vitreous
1.
a. : a sulfate of any of various metals (as copper, iron, zinc) ; especially : a hydrate (as the heptahydrate) of such a sulfate having a glassy appearance or luster
b. : oil of vitriol
c. obsolete : any of various salts not sulfates
vitriol de luna is silver nitrate
2. : something felt to resemble vitriol especially in caustic quality ; especially : virulence of feeling or of speech
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
: to expose to the action of vitriol ; especially : to dip (as metal) in dilute sulfuric acid