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Webster 1913 Edition

Asperity

As-per′i-ty

,
Noun.
;
pl.
Asperities
.
[L.
asperitas
, fr.
asper
rough: cf. F.
aspérité
.]
1.
Roughness of surface; unevenness; – opposed to
smoothness
.
“The asperities of dry bodies.”
Boyle.
2.
Roughness or harshness of sound; that quality which grates upon the ear; raucity.
3.
Roughness to the taste; sourness; tartness.
4.
Moral roughness; roughness of manner; severity; crabbedness; harshness; – opposed to
mildness
.
“Asperity of character.”
Landor.
It is no very cynical
asperity
not to confess obligations where no benefit has been received.
Johnson.
5.
Sharpness; disagreeableness; difficulty.
The acclivities and
asperities
of duty.
Barrow.
Syn. – Acrimony; moroseness; crabbedness; harshness; sourness; tartness. See
Acrimony
.

Webster 1828 Edition

Asperity

ASPER'ITY

,
Noun.
[L. asperitas, from asper, rough.]
1.
Roughness of surface; unevenness; opposed to smoothness.
2.
Roughness of sound; that quality which grates the ear; harshness of pronunciation.
3.
Roughness to the taste; sourness.
4.
Roughness or ruggedness of temper; moroseness; sourness; crabbedness.
5.
Sharpness.

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