English word bitter comes from Proto-Indo-European *bʰidrós, and later Proto-Germanic *bitraz (Bitter.)
| Dictionary entry | Language | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| *bʰidrós | Proto-Indo-European (ine) | |
| *bitraz | Proto-Germanic (gem-pro) | Bitter. |
| biter | Old English (ca. 450-1100) (ang) | Bitter (taste etc.). Bitter, severe, painful, biting. |
| bitter | Middle English (1100-1500) (enm) | |
| bitter | English (en) | To make bitter. Cynical and resentful.. Harsh, piercing or stinging.. Hateful or hostile.. Having an acrid taste (usually from a basic substance). (nautical) A turn of a cable about the bitts.. (usually in the plural bitters) A liquid or powder, made from bitter herbs, used in mixed drinks or as a tonic.. A type of beer heavily flavored with hops. |