BIT'TERNESS, n. from bitter. A bitter taste or rather a quality in things which excites a biting disagreeable sensation in the tongue.
1. In a figurative sense, extreme enmity, grudge, hatred or rather an excessive degree or implacableness of passions and emotions as the bitterness of anger. Ephesians 4
2. Sharpness severity of temper.
3. Keenness of reproach piquancy biting sarcasm.
4. Keen sorrow painful affliction vexation deep distress of mind.
Hannah was in bitterness of soul. 1 Samuel 1; Job 7
In the gall of bitterness, in a state of extreme impiety or enmity to God. Acts 8
Root of bitterness, a dangerous error, or schism, tending to draw persons to apostasy. Hebrews 12