sour
1. sour \'sau.(*)r\ \'sau.(*)r-ish\ aj [ME, fr. OE su-r; akin to OHG su-r
sour, Lith suras sal]ty 1: causing or characterized by the basic taste
sensation produced chiefly by acids 2a1: having the acid taste or smell of
or as if of fermentation : TUR NED {~ milk} 2a2: of or relating to
fermentation 2b: smelling or tasting of decay : RANCID, ROTTEN {~ breath}
2c1: BAD, WRONG {a project gone ~} 2c2: DISENCHANTED, HOSTILE {went ~ on
Marxism} 3a: UNPLEASANT, DISTASTEFUL 3b: CROSS, SULLEN 4: acid in
reaction - used of soil 5a: containing malodorous sulfur compounds - used
esp. of petroleum prod ucts 5b: JARRING, POOR {play a ~ note} that which
has lost its natural sweetness or freshness through fermentation or decay;
ACID applies to what has a biting taste naturally or normally; ACIDULOUS
implies a slight acidity; TART suggests a sharp but usu. agreeable acidity
- sour.ish aj SYN syn ACID, ACIDULOUS, TART: SOUR usu. applies to
2. sour n 1a: something sour 1b: the primary taste sensation produced by
acid stimuli 2: a cocktail made with spirituous liquor, lemon or lime
juice, sugar, and sometimes soda water
3. sour vi : to become sour to make sour