ˈsauə adj., n., & v. --adj. 1 having an
acid taste like
lemon or
vinegar,
esp.
because of unripeness (sour apples). 2 a (of
food, esp.
milk or bread)
bad because of
fermentation. b smelling or
tasting rancid or
unpleasant. 3 (of a
person,
temper, etc.)
harsh;
morose;
bitter. 4 (of a thing) unpleasant; distasteful. 5 (of
the soil)
deficient in lime
and usually
dank. --n. 1 US a
drink with lemonor lime-juice (whisky sour). 2 an acid
solution used in bleaching etc. --v.tr. & intr.
make or
become sour (soured the
cream; soured by misfortune). øgo (or turn) sour 1 (of food etc.) become sour. 2
turn out badly (the job
went sour on him). 3
lose one's keenness. sour cream cream deliberately fermented by adding
bacteria. sour grapes
resentful disparagement of
something one cannot personally acquire. sour
mash US a brewingor distilling-mash
made acid to
promote fermentation. øøsourish adj. sourly adv. sourness n. [OE sur f. Gmc]
