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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

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