| 释义 |
bittersweet
I. \| ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷\ noun
Etymology: Middle English biterswete, from biter bitter + swete sweetness — more at sweet
1. : something that is bittersweet : pleasure alloyed with pain
< all the bittersweet of their long separation — Christopher Morley >
2.
a. : a sprawling Old World poisonous plant (Solanum dulcamara) that is common as a weed in America and has purple flowers and oval coral-red berries and a taste at first sweetish and then bitter
b. : a No. American ornamental woody vine (Celastrus scandens) having clusters of small greenish flowers succeeded by yellow capsules that burst open when ripe disclosing the scarlet aril — called also climbing bittersweet, false bittersweet; see evergreen bittersweet, japanese bittersweet
3.
a. : a deep orange that is deeper than bittersweet orange
b. : a dark to deep reddish orange — called also lobster
II. adjective
1. : at once bitter and sweet
< a bittersweet apple >
especially : pleasant but attended by elements or twinges of suffering or regret
< bittersweet hunger of desire — Hamlin Garland >
2. : of or relating to a prepared chocolate containing little sugar; also : of or relating to syrups and candy coatings made of this chocolate or confections covered with such coatings |