Asperity

noun

  • roughness in tone, climate, or demeanor
  • a hardship or affliction
  • the unevenness of a surface, like a point or ridge

Usage

The most common usage of asperity refers to a harsh, bitter way of conversing or behaving. If someone speaks in a way that sounds irritated or sarcastic, they are speaking with asperity; their mood might be characterized by scowling or brooding in a corner. On a more physical level, the weather outside can carry asperities such as harsh winds or high humidity. As asperity is associated with harshness, it usually comes up in descriptions of uneasy situations. In a story, characters in a heated argument might speak in tones of asperity. Similarly, if a writer wants to describe an environment with several asperities, he might emphasize harsh cliffs, violent winds, or any other natural phenomenon that is unpleasant and dangerous. Asperities are noticeable because they are often extreme in essence, though there are more subtle exceptions.

Another application of asperity relates to a hardship or affliction. An asperity can be any obstacle, physical or emotional. For example, if a person is running but has to jump to avoid a rock, that rock was an asperity in the route. When there is a loss of someone close, the sadness and loneliness felt as a result is an asperity to everyday life. Because of its usage in negative contexts, asperity often conjures adverse feelings.

A more technical usage of asperity, especially in material science, describes the unevenness of a surface. This unevenness can be an abrupt point, bump, or scratch that prevents the object from having a smooth exterior. For example, a road that has cracks or potholes across it has asperities. Or, a spike jutting out of an otherwise smooth rock would also be an asperity. Material scientists study asperities which may be microscopic in size, present even on surfaces which have a very smooth finish to the naked eye.

Example: Despite trying to hide his annoyance at his mother's comment, the asperity in his voice was evident.

Example: After facing far too many asperities, she felt like giving up, but something urged her to go on.

Example: The asperities on the phone screen were a result of its fall on concrete.


Origin

Asperity appeared around the thirteenth century first in Latin, in the form of asprete ("a hardship or roughness"), which was only used figuratively. Later, the word transformed to asperitatem, which means "harshness," and was used in a literal sense. Experts believed this word was derived from asper, which means "rough or harsh." In Latin, asperitatem also referred to sour tastes, poor climate, or afflictions. The word would later appear in Old French as the root asperité, meaning "a painful occurrence or jarring treatment." Though it holds the same meaning, the modern French word has developed into âpreté. It was not until the beginning of the fifteenth century that asperity was used in English.

Literary Reference

From Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes: The Valley of Fear:

"I have no more notion than you how long it is to last," Holmes answered with some asperity, "If criminals would always schedule their movements like railway trains, it would certainly be more convenient for all of us."

Here, asperity is used to describe the tone of Holmes' reply. He is irritated by Watson's question and the entire situation, so he lashes out in a harsh tone.

Mnemonic

  • Asperity angers all acquaintances.
  • Asparagus is a key cause of Asperity in people of all ages

Bring out the linguist in you! What is your own interpretation of asperity. Did you use asperity in a game? Provide an example sentence or a literary quote.