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asperity definition

as·per·ity (ə sper′ə tē)

noun pl. asperities -·ties

  1. roughness or harshness, as of surface, sound, weather, etc. or of circumstances
  2. harshness or sharpness of temper

Etymology: ME & OFr asprete < L asperitas, roughness < asper, rough < IE *apo-spero-, repellent < base *apo-, away + *sper-, to flick away, push

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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