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Today's Word "asperity"

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asperity \uh-SPEH-ruh-tee\ (noun) - 1 : rigor, severity 2 a : roughness of surface : unevenness; also : a tiny projection from a surface b : roughness of sound 3 : roughness of manner or of temper : harshness

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

 

"Asperity" has had a rough history. It came to us through Middle English by way of the Anglo-French word "asprete," and ultimately derives from the Latin word "asper," which means "rough." This same Latin word also underlies the English word "exasperate" (in fact, you can see "asper" nestled in the midst of that word). "Asper" also did a stint as an English word in its own right (it functioned as a synonym of "harsh," "bitter," or "stern"), but it is now considered obsolete.


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