'Bitter vetch' definitions:

Definition of 'Bitter vetch'

From: GCIDE

Bitter \Bit"ter\, a. [AS. biter; akin to Goth. baitrs, Icel. bitr, Dan., Sw., D., & G. bitter, OS. bittar, fr. root of E. bite. See Bite, v. t.]
1. Having a peculiar, acrid, biting taste, like that of wormwood or an infusion of hops; as, a bitter medicine; bitter as aloes. [1913 Webster]
2. Causing pain or smart; piercing; painful; sharp; severe; as, a bitter cold day. [1913 Webster]
3. Causing, or fitted to cause, pain or distress to the mind; calamitous; poignant. [1913 Webster]
It is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the Lord thy God. --Jer. ii. 19. [1913 Webster]
4. Characterized by sharpness, severity, or cruelty; harsh; stern; virulent; as, bitter reproach. [1913 Webster]
Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. --Col. iii. 19. [1913 Webster]
5. Mournful; sad; distressing; painful; pitiable. [1913 Webster]
The Egyptians . . . made their lives bitter with hard bondage. --Ex. i. 14. [1913 Webster]
Bitter apple, Bitter cucumber, Bitter gourd. (Bot.) See Colocynth.
Bitter cress (Bot.), a plant of the genus Cardamine, esp. Cardamine amara.
Bitter earth (Min.), tale earth; calcined magnesia.
Bitter principles (Chem.), a class of substances, extracted from vegetable products, having strong bitter taste but with no sharply defined chemical characteristics.
Bitter salt, Epsom salts; magnesium sulphate.
Bitter vetch (Bot.), a name given to two European leguminous herbs, Vicia Orobus and Ervum Ervilia.
To the bitter end, to the last extremity, however calamitous. [1913 Webster]
Syn: Acrid; sharp; harsh; pungent; stinging; cutting; severe; acrimonious. [1913 Webster]