sour
(sour)
[Middle English, from Old English sūr.]
adjective: sour·er, sour·est.
- Having a taste characteristic of that produced by acids; sharp, tart, or tangy.
- Made acid or rancid by fermentation.
- Having the characteristics of fermentation or rancidity; tasting or smelling of decay.
- Bad-tempered and morose; peevish: a sour temper.
- Displeased with something one formerly admired or liked; disenchanted: sour on ballet.
- Not measuring up to the expected or usual ability or quality; bad.
- Not having the correct or properly produced pitch: a sour note.
- Of or relating to excessively acid soil that is damaging to crops.
- Containing excessive sulfur compounds. Used of gasoline.
noun
- The sensation of sour taste, one of the four primary tastes.
- Something sour.
- A mixed drink made especially with whiskey, lemon or lime juice, sugar, and sometimes soda water.
tr. & intr.v.: soured, sour·ing, sours.
- To make or become sour.
- To make or become disagreeable, disillusioned, or disenchanted.
derivatives
- souŕish
- adjective
- souŕly
- adverb
- souŕness
- noun
synonyms:
sour, acid, acidulous, dry, tart1 These adjectives mean having a taste like that produced by an acid: sour cider; acid, unripe grapes; an acidulous tomato; dry white wine; tart cherries.
