lamster

Pronounced: LAM(P)-stir, noun

Notes: This is not a special kind of hamster…

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Yesterday’s word

The word acerbate means “to irritate; to aggravate”

First usage

Our word came into English in the mid-1600s

Background / Comments

There are three similar words in English: acerbate (our word), exacerbate, and exasperate. Do you know the difference? Our word is apparently the beginning of irritation (and it does not take an object). However, if one “exacerbates” the situation, one is increasing the irritation (and, you’ll note that “exacerbate” needs an object). If one keeps going, one is exasperated, and that is a high decree of irritation (and, like our word, “exasperate” does not take an object). I think I’ve heard or read these words, but I don’t know if I realized “exacerbate” and “exasperate” were different words. Our word came from the Latin word acerbus (bitter) from which we get “acerbic”.