As*per"i*ty (#), n.; pl. Asperities (#). [L. asperitas, fr. asper rough: cf. F. asp'erit'e.]
1.
Roughness of surface; unevenness; -- opposed to smoothness.
"The
asperities of dry bodies."
Boyle.
2.
Roughness or harshness of sound; that quality which grates upon the ear; raucity.
3.
Roughness to the taste; sourness; tartness.
4.
Moral roughness; roughness of manner; severity; crabbedness; harshness; -- opposed to mildness.
"
Asperity of character."
Landor.
It is no very cynical asperity not to confess obligations where no benefit has been received.
Johnson.
5.
Sharpness; disagreeableness; difficulty.
The acclivities and asperities of duty.
Barrow.
Syn. -- Acrimony; moroseness; crabbedness; harshness; sourness; tartness. See Acrimony.
© Webster 1913.