Old English biternys "bitterness, grief;" see bitter + -ness. Figurative sense (of feelings, etc.) is attested earlier than literal sense (of taste), which will surprise no one who reads any amount of Anglo-Saxon literature.
权威例句
1. The rift within the organization reflects the growing bitterness of the dispute.
组织内部严重失和反映出矛盾日趋升级。
2. There was a strain of bitterness in his voice.
他的声音听起来有些愤愤不平。
3. That was the very reason why he felt a certain bitterness.
那就是为什么他感到有些痛苦。
4. She never really appreciated the depth and bitterness of the Irish conflict.
她从来没有真正认识到爱尔兰矛盾的深刻和激烈。
5. When he spoke his voice was thick with bitterness.