How Do You Spell BITTER APPLE?

Pronunciation: [bˈɪtəɹ ˈapə͡l] (IPA)

The words "bitter apple" are spelled with the IPA phonetic transcription /ˈbɪtər/ and /ˈæpəl/. The first syllable "bit" is pronounced with a short "i" sound, while the second syllable "ter" ends with a silent "r." The second word "apple" is pronounced with a short "a" sound, followed by the "p" and "l" sounds. The spelling of this word emphasizes the sharp, unpleasant taste of the fruit and acknowledges its common use as a deterrent for animals and as a taste aversion aid.

BITTER APPLE Meaning and Definition

1. Bitter Apple is a noun that refers to a type of fruit or the extract derived from it. The term typically applies to the apple-like fruit of the Citrullus colocynthis plant, also known as bitter apple or colocynth. This plant belongs to the gourd family and is native to the Mediterranean region.

   The bitter apple fruit is small, round, and yellowish, with a hard rind and a bitter taste. It contains a mixture of compounds, including cucurbitacin, which gives it its characteristic bitter flavor. Bitter apple has been used for centuries in traditional medicine, particularly for its purgative and laxative properties.

   In addition to its medicinal uses, bitter apple extract is also employed as a repellent for pets, particularly dogs. The strong bitter taste of the extract is used to discourage dogs from biting or chewing on objects or wounds. It can be sprayed directly onto furniture, shoes, or other items to deter dogs from damaging them.

   The term "bitter apple" can also be used metaphorically to describe a person, situation, or experience that leaves a lasting negative impression or taste. For example, someone might refer to a bitter apple of a divorce when describing a particularly acrimonious and difficult separation. In this context, "bitter apple" conveys a sense of unpleasantness, pessimism, or discord.

2. Colocynth.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for BITTER APPLE

• vitter apple
• nitter apple
• hitter apple
• gitter apple
• butter apple
• bjtter apple
• bktter apple
• botter apple
• b9tter apple
• b8tter apple
• birter apple
• bifter apple
• bigter apple
• biyter apple
• bi6ter apple
• bi5ter apple
• bitrer apple
• bitfer apple
• bitger apple
• bityer apple

Etymology of BITTER APPLE

The word "bitter apple" is a compound term that combines the adjective "bitter" and the noun "apple".

The term "bitter" comes from the Old English word "biter", which means sharp or pungent. It can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "bitraz", meaning biting or cutting. This ultimately derives from the Proto-Indo-European root word "bheid-" meaning to split or separate.

The word "apple" comes from the Old English word "æppel", which has cognates in various Germanic languages such as Old Norse "eppl", Old Frisian "apul", and Old High German "apful". These ultimately stem from the Proto-Germanic word "aplaz", possibly related to the Proto-Indo-European word "h₂ébōl", meaning fruit.

Plural form of BITTER APPLE is BITTER APPLES