acerbate1
/əˈsəːbət/literary
adjective
Embittered; severe.
Origin
Mid 19th century; earliest use found in The Echo. From classical Latin acerbātus, past participle of acerbāre. Compare earlier acerbate.
acerbate2
/ˈasəbeɪt/verb
[with object] To exacerbate (a negative feeling or problem); (occasionally) †to sour or embitter (a person) (obsolete ).
Origin
Mid 17th century; earliest use found in Nicholas Billingsley (bap. 1633, d. 1709), religious poet and Presbyterian minister. From classical Latin acerbāt-, past participial stem of acerbāre to embitter, to make worse, aggravate from acerbus.