asperity
/æs'periti/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- Harshness of manner or tone; sharpness, severity: Refers to a rough, sharp, or severe quality in a person's speech, behavior, or temperament.
- Harshness, severity, or difficulty of conditions: Refers to the rigorous, demanding, or unpleasant nature of a situation, especially weather or circumstances.
- A rough or sharp physical quality; an uneven surface: (Less common) Refers to a physical roughness or an uneven, jagged point on a surface.
Examples of Usage
- Noun (Harshness of Manner):
- Noun (Severity of Conditions):
- Noun (Physical Roughness):
Advanced Usage
- "with some asperity": Used as an adverbial phrase to describe an action performed in a sharp or irritated manner.
- "the asperities of [something]": A formal phrase to describe the inherent hardships or difficulties of a situation.
Variants and Related Words
- Asperous (adj, rare): Rough, uneven. (e.g., )
- Asperities (n, plural): Often used to refer to multiple instances of harshness or difficulties, or to the rough points on a surface.
Synonyms
- Harshness: Severe or rough quality.
- Severity: The quality of being very strict, harsh, or intense.
- Acrimony: Bitterness or ill feeling, often in speech or debate.
- Abrusiveness: A rough, harsh manner.
- Rigor: The quality of being extremely thorough, exhaustive, or demanding.
Antonyms
- Mildness: Gentleness in manner or effect.
- Suavity: Smoothness in manner; politeness.
- Gentleness: The quality of being kind, tender, or mild-mannered.
- Smoothness: Evenness of surface or manner.
Notes on Meaning
- The primary modern use relates to sharpness in tone or manner. The meaning related to physical roughness is more specialized and less frequent in everyday language.
- When describing weather or conditions, it conveys a sense of unyielding harshness and difficulty to endure.
Noun
- harshness of manner
- something hard to endure
- the asperity of northern winters