 |
| Date: | 1600-1700 |
| Language: | French |
| Origin: | acide, from Latin acidus, from acere 'to be sour' |
1CT having a sharp sour taste [= bitter]: 
a juicy apple with a slightly acid flavour
a juicy apple with a slightly acid flavour2 an acid remark uses humour in an unkind way to criticize someone : I was expecting another of his acid remarks, but he remained silent.
acid remark/comment/tone etc
I was expecting another of his acid remarks, but he remained silent.3 a way of finding out whether something is as good as people say it is, whether it works, or whether it is true : People ask if the team is good enough. This match will be the acid test.
the acid test
People ask if the team is good enough. This match will be the acid test.4 technicalTAS an acid soil does not contain much lime1 (3) : Blueberry bushes need a very acid soil.
Blueberry bushes need a very acid soil. —acidly adverb
—acidity noun [uncountable]
noun [uncountable]