asperity

Noun

asperity (countable and uncountable, plural asperities)

1. (formal, uncountable) The quality of having a rough or uneven surface; roughness, unevenness; (countable, chiefly in the plural) a protruding or rough area or point on a surface; a protrusion.
   • Oyle of ſwete Almondes and of ſiſami taketh away the aſperitie and rougheneſſe of the throte.p. 1553 September 2 (Gregorian calendar), Petrus Hyspanus [i.e., Peter of Spain—Pope John XXI?], “[A Boke Conteyning the Names of Cõpound [Compound] Medecines […].] For Al Diseasys in the Head.”, in...
   • The iuyce of Mynte mengled with honied water, cureth the payne of the eares being dropped therein, and taketh away the aſperitie, and roughneſſe of the tongue, whan it is rubbed or waſſhed therewith.1578, Rembert Dodoens, “Of the Kyndes of Mynte”, in Henry Lyte, transl., A Niewe Herball, or Historie of Plantes: […], London: […] [Henry [i.e., Hendrik van der] Loë for] Gerard Dewes, […], →OCLC...

   Synonyms:

   bumpiness, ruggedness, bump, protuberance

   Antonyms:

   smoothness

   1. (countable, formal) A section of a fault line with high friction, such that there is no movement along this part of the fault except during an earthquake.
      • We inferred that the locking of asperities did cause higher stresses associated with earthquake cycle itself to occur in areas adjacent to asperities, both updip and downdip from them, and that such stressing has been much less pronounced in the areas adjacent to non-asperities.1990 December, R. Dmowska, J. R. Rice, “Stressing, Seismicity and Rupture of Slip-deficient Fault Zones”, in Muriel L. Jacobson, compiler, National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program, Summaries of...
      • Since rapid permanent plate shortening is not observed in subduction zones, there must be either strain release over a large region or strain accumulation over a small region over earthquake cycles. […] The most likely mechanism for the latter is the accumulation of elastic strain around isolated...1995, Kelin Wang, “Coupling of Tectonic Loading and Earthquake Fault Slips at Subduction Zones”, in Ren Wang, Keiiti Aki, editors, Mechanics Problems in Geodynamics Part 1, Basel, Basel-Stadt...
2. (figuratively, formal, uncountable) The quality of being difficult or unpleasant to experience; (countable) a thing that is harsh and difficult to endure; a difficulty, a hardship.
   • the asperity of Maine’s winter
   • If the faith were in our daies as feruēt [fervent] as it hath bene ere this, in tyme before passed, litle counſayle and litle comfort would ſuffice. We ſhould not muche nede with wordes and reaſoning, to extenuate and minyſh the vygour and aſperitie of the paynes, but the greatter ⁊ the more bitter...1534 (date written; published 1553), Thomas More, “A Dyalogue of Comforte agaynste Tribulacyon, […]. Chapter III.”, in Wyllyam Rastell [i.e., William Rastell], editor, The Workes of Sir Thomas More...

   Synonyms:

   harshness, rigour, severity

3. (figuratively, formal, uncountable) The quality of being harsh or severe in the way one behaves or speaks toward another person; (countable, chiefly in the plural) a deeply hostile or resentful feeling; an animosity, a hatred.
   • But leaſt he ſhoulde offend the Iewes with the aſperitie of the word, if hee had ſaid that the lawe was dead, hee vſed a digreſſion, or deflection, ſaying, we are dead to the law.1583, Iohn Caluin [i.e., John Calvin], chapter 7, in Christopher Rosdell, transl., A Commentarie upon the Epistle of Saint Paul to the Romanes, […], London: […] [Thomas Dawson] for Iohn Harison and...
   • [H]e [God] vvill reprove them ſharply for their uncharitable bitterneſs one againſt another, and menace them even vvith deſtruction, if they leave not off their animoſities and aſperities of mind about toys and trifles, and hold faſt to the Royal Lavv of Love […]1664, H[enry] More, “[The Apology of Dr. Henry More, […].] Chapter IX.”, in Synopsis Prophetica; or, The Second Part of the Modest Enquiry into the Mystery of Iniquity: […], London: […] James...

   Synonyms:

   acerbity, harshness, severity, sharpness

4. (archaic, figuratively, formal) Of sound: gratingness, harshness.
   • [T]he importunate, harſh and diſharmonious Coaxations of Frogs, (ſo called in the Greek from that very ungratefull noiſe, […] from the ſhrilneſs and aſperity of the noiſe they make) […]1664, H[enry] More, chapter VI, in Synopsis Prophetica; or, The Second Part of the Modest Enquiry into the Mystery of Iniquity: […], London: […] James Flesher, for William Morden […], →OCLC, book I...
   • [John] Miltonm therefore ſeems to have ſomevvhat miſtaken the nature of our language, of vvhich the chief defect is ruggedneſs and aſperity, and has left our harſh cadences yet harſher.1751 January 29 (Gregorian calendar), Samuel Johnson, “No. 88. Friday, January 19. 1750–1751.”, in The Rambler, volume IV, Edinburgh: [[…] Sands, Murray, and Cochran]; sold by W. Gordon, C. Wright...
5. (archaic, figuratively, formal) Of taste: harshness or sharpness; acridity, tartness.
   • [T]he aſperity of tartarous ſalts, and the fiery acrimony of alcaline ſalts, irritating and vvounding the nerves, produce naſcent paſſions and anxieties in the ſoul; vvhich both aggravate diſtempers, and render men's lives reſtleſs and vvretched, even vvhen they are afflicted vvith no apparent...1744, G. L. B. O. C. [pseudonym; George Berkeley], Siris: A Chain of Philosophical Reflexions and Inquiries Concerning the Virtues of Tar Water, […], Dublin: […] Marg[are]t Rhames, for R. Gunne, […]...

   Synonyms:

   acrimony

6. (archaic, figuratively, formal) Of writing: a lack of elegance and refinement; inelegance, roughness.