/vi"tree euhl/ , n. , v. , vitrioled, vitrioling or ( esp. Brit. ) vitriolled, vitriolling .
n.
1. Chem. any of certain metallic sulfates of glassy appearance, as copper sulfate or blue vitriol, iron sulfate or green vitriol, zinc sulfate or white vitriol, etc.
2. oil of vitriol; sulfuric acid.
3. something highly caustic or severe in effect, as criticism.
v.t.
4. to treat with or as with vitriol, esp. sulfuric acid.
[ 1350-1400; ME vitriolum, vitreolum, equiv. to L vitre ( us ) VITREOUS + -olum, neut. of -olus -OLE 1 ]