from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Cucumber \Cu"cum*ber\ (k?`k?m-b?r, formerly kou"k?m-b?r), n.
[OE. cucumer, cocumber, cucumber, fr. L. cucmis,
gen.cucumeris; cf. OF. cocombre,F. concombre.] (Bot.)
A creeping plant, and its fruit, of several species of the
genus {Cucumis}, esp. {Cucumis sativus}, the unripe fruit of
which is eaten either fresh or picked. Also, similar plants
or fruits of several other genera. See below.
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{Bitter cucumber} (Bot.), the {Citrullus Colocynthis} syn.
{Cucumis Colocynthis}. See {Colocynth}.
{Cucumber beetle.} (Zool.)
(a) A small, black flea-beetle ({Crepidodera cucumeris}),
which destroys the leaves of cucumber, squash, and melon
vines.
(b) The squash beetle.
{Cucumber tree}.
(a) A large ornamental or shade tree of the genus {Magnolia}
{(Magnolia acuminata)}, so called from a slight
resemblance of its young fruit to a small cucumber.
(b) An East Indian plant ({Averrhoa Bilimbi}) which produces
the fruit known as bilimbi.
{Jamaica cucumber}, {Jerusalem cucumber}, the prickly-fruited
gherkin ({Cucumis Anguria}).
{Snake cucumber}, a species ({Cucumis flexuosus}) remarkable
for its long, curiously-shaped fruit.
{Squirting cucumber}, a plant ({Ecbalium Elaterium}) whose
small oval fruit separates from the footstalk when ripe
and expels its seeds and juice with considerable force
through the opening thus made. See {Elaterium}.
{Star cucumber}, a climbing weed ({Sicyos angulatus}) with
prickly fruit.
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from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
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.
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2. Causing pain or smart; piercing; painful; sharp; severe;
as, a bitter cold day.
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3. Causing, or fitted to cause, pain or distress to the mind;
calamitous; poignant.
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It is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast
forsaken the Lord thy God. --Jer. ii. 19.
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4. Characterized by sharpness, severity, or cruelty; harsh;
stern; virulent; as, bitter reproach.
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Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against
them. --Col. iii.
19.
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5. Mournful; sad; distressing; painful; pitiable.
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The Egyptians . . . made their lives bitter with
hard bondage. --Ex. i. 14.
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{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.
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Syn: Acrid; sharp; harsh; pungent; stinging; cutting; severe;
acrimonious.
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