I.sharpness or pungency (so far as it has a quickening, animating power, diff. fr. acerbitas, which desig. a disagreeable sharpness).
I. Lit., of taste: “si ulcus acrimoniam brassicae ferre non poterit,” the pungency, irritation, smart, Cato R. R. 157, 5: “dulcis cum quadam acrimonia,” Plin. 24, 14, 78, § 128; cf. “sinapis,” id. 18, 13, 34, § 128 al.—Of smell, Plin. 27, 13, 109, § 133.—
II. Fig., sharpness, acrimony, austerity of character, energy of acting: “animi vivacitas,” Non. 73, 17: mei feri ingeri iram atque animi acrem acrimoniam, Naev. ap. Non. 73, 18 (Rib. Trag. Rel. p. 11); cf.: vim, ferociam, animi, atrocitatem, iram, acrimoniam, Att. ib. (Ribbeck, p. 196): “convenit in vultu pudorem et acrimoniam esse,” Auct. Her. 3, 15, 26; cf. ib. 4, 13, 19; 24, 34: “si Glabrionis patris vim et acrimoniam ceperis ad resistendum hominibus audacissimis,” Cic. Verr. 1, 17, 52.—Of abstract objects: “vis et acrimonia causae,” Cic. Inv. 2, 48, 143: “licentiae,” Auct. Her. 4, 37, 49.—Of discourse, sharpness of speech (opp. sermo): “tum in sermone, tum in acrimonia,” now in common conversation, now in sharp talk, Auct. Her. 4, 42, 54.
