The phrase "bitter enemies" is spelled using the IPA phonetic transcription as /ˈbɪtər/ /ˈɛnəmiz/. The first word, "bitter," is pronounced with a short "i" sound, followed by a "t" and "er" sound. The second word, "enemies," is pronounced with an "eh" sound, followed by a nasal "n" sound, then "m" and "ih" sounds, and ending with a "z" sound. "Bitter enemies" refers to individuals or groups who have intense hatred or hostility towards each other.
"Bitter enemies" refers to individuals or groups engaged in an intense, deep-rooted, and hostile conflict marked by strong animosity, hatred, and resentment towards one another. The term "bitter" signifies the profound sense of acrimony and bitterness that exists between these enemies, emphasizing the severity and intensity of their enmity.
This phrase is often used to describe individuals or groups who have a long-standing history of conflict, characterized by harsh verbal and physical confrontations, mutual harm, and a vehement desire to undermine and harm one another. Bitter enemies are locked in a state of opposition and antagonism, which can result from diverse factors such as opposing ideologies, conflicting interests, historical or territorial disputes, personal rivalries, or a combination thereof.
The term "bitter enemies" conveys the idea that the animosity between these parties has reached a significant level regardless of the context, be it interpersonal, social, or geopolitical. Bitter enemies often engage in intense verbal attacks, sabotage, or even violence to achieve their own objectives or to inflict harm and damage upon their perceived adversaries.
The notion of "bitter enemies" implies that the hostility between the parties is profound and long-lasting, without any potential for reconciliation or compromise in the foreseeable future. The intensity and gravity of the situation make it highly challenging for the enemies to coexist peacefully and may require significant efforts, reconciliation processes, or diplomatic interventions to resolve or alleviate their bitter enmity.
The word "bitter" and "enemies" have separate etymologies.
- The word "bitter" comes from the Old English word "bitter" or "bitre". It can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "bitraz" and the Proto-Indo-European root "bheid-" which means "to split" or "to bite". Originally, "bitter" referred to a sharp, acrid taste, but over time, it gained figurative associations with resentment, animosity, and hostility.
- The word "enemies" comes from the Old French word "enemi" which derived from the Latin word "inimicus". "Inimicus" can be broken down into "in-" meaning "not" and "amicus" meaning "friend". Therefore, "inimicus" originally meant "not a friend" or "unfriendly".