noun
1. the final extremity (however unpleasant it may be) (Freq. 2)
-
he was determined to fight to the bitter end
• Hypernyms: ↑extremity
2. (nautical) the inboard end of a line or cable especially the end that is wound around a bitt
• Topics: ↑seafaring, ↑navigation, ↑sailing
• Part Holonyms: ↑line
* * *
/bit"euhr end"/ for 1; /bit"euhr end'/ for 2
1. the conclusion of a difficult or unpleasant situation; the last or furthest extremity: Despite the unpleasant scenes in the movie, she insisted on staying until the bitter end.
2. Naut.
a. the inboard end of an anchor chain or cable, secured in the chain locker of a vessel.
b. the end of any chain or cable.
[1620-30 in form bitters end; prob. BITT + ER1, later taken as BITTER]
* * *
bitter end1,
1. the very end; last extremity: »
We will fight to the bitter end. His insulting behavior was the bitter end.
2. death.
bitter end2,
the inboard end of a cable or rope on a ship riding at anchor.
╂[< bitt + -er2]
bit|ter-end «BIHT uhr EHND», adjective.
= stubborn. (Cf. ↑stubborn)
Useful english dictionary. 2012.