Definition of: vitriol

(vit′rē·ōl, -əl) noun
1. Chem. a Sulfuric acid, originally made from green vitriol: more commonly called oil of vitriol. b Any sulfate of a heavy metal, as green vitriol, from iron; blue vitriol, from copper; white vitriol, from zinc.
2. Anything sharp or caustic, as sarcasm.
—v.t. ·oled or ·olled, ·ol·ing or ·ol·ling
1. To injure (a person) with vitriol.
2. To subject (anything) to the agency of vitriol. [<OF <Med. L vitriolum <L vitrum glass; so called because of its glassy appearance]