Word of the Day

: June 17, 2010

asperity

noun uh-SPAIR-uh-tee

What It Means

1 : roughness

2 : harshness of manner or of temper

asperity in Context

When asked to make a contribution, Roger glared and said with asperity, "I gave at the office."

Did You Know?

"Asperity" has had a rough history. It came to Modern English through Middle English (where it was spelled "asprete") by way of the Anglo-French ("asprete"), and ultimately derives from the Latin word "asper," which means "rough." Not only is "asper" the source of "asperity," but it also underlies the English word "exasperate" (in fact, you can see "asper" nestled in the midst of that word). Although it is far less common than "asperity" and "exasperate," the word "asper" itself is still occasionally used in English, too -- it functions as a synonym of "harsh," "bitter," or "stern."