acerbic

Etymology

Attested since the 17th century, from Latin acerbus (“sour, bitter”).

adj

1. Tasting sour or bitter.
   Those consumers who object to the acerbic taste of garlic can purchase de-odorized garlic or allicin extract. Aug 5 1998, Dr. Peter Gott, “Can inhaler cause addiction?”, in Catoosa County News, retrieved 2009-09-19
2. (figurative) Sharp, harsh, biting.
   Supercompetent, superconfident and supercritical, Schmidt is a gifted orator whose acerbic wit earned him the nickname "Schmidt the Lip." Sept 22 1986, “West Germany: Last Taunts From the Lip”, in Time, retrieved 2014-04-25
   [H]e is one of the most acerbic people in his field, quick to take offense and not shy about telling people with whom he disagrees how much he thinks they have failed in thought and action. May 5 2005, Jay Mathews, “Don't Fire This Professor”, in Washington Post, page T6