Vitrioliser

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. To treat or soak something in sulphuric acid, the corrosive oil of vitriol used in chemistry ; to assail a person with bitter, scathing and abusive language
2. To saturate a material with corrosive sulphuric acid during chemical processing ; to denounce or abuse someone in a caustic, venomous manner
3. Chemically dousing an object in acid of the sort once called oil of vitriol ; speaking or writing about a person with savage, burning contempt

Etymology: Its root is glass. "Vitriol" comes from Medieval Latin "vitriolum", formed from Latin "vitreus", meaning "glassy", and "vitrum", meaning "glass". The name referred to the glossy, glass-like crystals of certain metal sulphates, such as the green crystals of iron sulphate, and later to the sulphuric acid made from them, known as "oil of vitriol". The verb "vitriolise", to treat with vitriol, is built on that noun with the "-ise" suffix, from Greek "-izein" through Latin and French. Its figurative sense, to attack with bitter, corrosive words, follows the acid's harshness. The agent noun here adds "-er" to the verb, so "vitrioliser" most likely names someone or something that vitriolises, whether a chemical process or a person who abuses others with scathing language. The exact date and first use of this particular form are uncertain.

Synonyms: vilify, denigrate, castigate

Antonyms: praise, commend