Asperity
Pronunciation : As*per"i*ty
Part of Speech : n.; pl. Asperities.
Etymology : [L. asperitas, fr. asper rough: cf. F. asp?rit?.]
Definition : 1. Roughness of surface; unevenness; -- opposed to smoothness. "The asperities of dry bodies." Boyle.
2. Roughness or harshness of sound; that quality which grates upon the ear; raucity.
3. Roughness to the taste; sourness; tartness.
4. Moral roughness; roughness of manner; severity; crabbedness; harshness; -- opposed to mildness. "Asperity of character." Landor. It is no very cynical asperity not to confess obligations where no benefit has been received. Johnson.
5. Sharpness; disagreeableness; difficulty. The acclivities and asperities of duty. Barrow.
Syn. -- Acrimony; moroseness; crabbedness; harshness; sourness; tartness. See Acrimony.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913