vitriol

n. biting sarcasm; glassy metallic sulfate; sulfuric acid (Archaic)

Sulfuric (or sulphuric) acid, H2SO4, is a strong mineral acid. It is soluble in water at all concentrations. It was once known as oil of vitriol, coined by the 8th-century Arabian alchemist Jabir ibn Hayyan (Geber) after his discovery of the chemical. Sulfuric acid has many applications, and is one of the top products of the chemical industry. World production in 2001 was 165 million tonnes, with an approximate value of US$8 billion. Principal uses include  ore processing, fertilizer manufacturing, oil refining, wastewater processing, and chemical synthesis.
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n. vitriol, sulfuric acid, copperas

n. vitriol, biting sarcasm; glassy metallic sulfate; sulfuric acid (Archaic)

(n.)
Sulphuric acid; -- called also oil of vitriol. So called because first made by the distillation of green vitriol. See Sulphuric acid, under Sulphuric.
  

(n.)
A sulphate of any one of certain metals, as copper, iron, zinc, cobalt. So called on account of the glassy appearance or luster.