asperate: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Extremely RareLiterary, Technical/Medical, Archaic
Quick answer
What does “asperate” mean?
(rare) To make rough, harsh, or uneven.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
(rare) To make rough, harsh, or uneven; specifically, to roughen a surface.
In formal/literary contexts, can be used metaphorically to mean to make a situation, tone, or relationship harsh or less smooth.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in usage for the rare 'roughen' sense. In the medical sense, both regions use it, but 'aspirate' remains the overwhelmingly preferred term.
Connotations
Largely archaic/convoluted when used for 'roughen'. In medicine, using 'asperate' instead of 'aspirate' may mark the speaker as using non-standard or overly pedantic terminology.
Frequency
Virtually unused in everyday language in both varieties. Extremely low frequency in corpora, mostly in historical or highly specialized texts.
Grammar
How to Use “asperate” in a Sentence
[Subject] asperates [Object] (e.g., The process asperates the material).Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “asperate” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The constant sea spray had begun to asperate the granite cliff face.
- The surgeon needed to asperate the fluid from the joint.
American English
- The sandblaster was used to asperate the metal before painting.
- The protocol stated to asperate the sample using a fine needle.
adverb
British English
- He spoke asperately, his words like gravel.
American English
- The material reacted asperately under friction.
adjective
British English
- An asperate texture was desired for the grip.
American English
- They noted the asperate quality of the fossil's surface.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Possibly in historical linguistics or literature discussing archaic texts. In medicine, a non-standard variant of 'aspirate'.
Everyday
Never used.
Technical
A potential, but rare and non-standard, synonym for 'aspirate' in medical contexts (e.g., lab manuals, notes). The 'roughen' sense might appear in materials science or geology texts describing processes.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “asperate”
- Using 'asperate' in modern prose where 'roughen', 'irritate', or 'aggravate' is intended. Using 'asperate' instead of the standard 'aspirate' in medical contexts. Attempting to use it as an adjective (e.g., 'an asperate remark' – incorrect).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is extremely rare and considered archaic in its original 'roughen' sense. Learners should avoid it in favour of more common synonyms.
In standard English, 'aspirate' means to breathe in or to draw out fluid with a suction device. 'Asperate' is a rare, non-standard variant sometimes mistakenly used for 'aspirate' in medicine, but its primary (obsolete) meaning is 'to roughen'.
The adjective form is essentially obsolete. The correct adjective from the same root is 'asperous' (rough), but it is also very rare. Use 'rough', 'coarse', or 'harsh' instead.
Absolutely not. It is not a useful word for active vocabulary. You may encounter it in reading passages as a challenging word, but you will not be expected to use it in writing or speaking. Focus on its synonyms.
(rare) To make rough, harsh, or uneven.
Asperate is usually literary, technical/medical, archaic in register.
Asperate: in British English it is pronounced /ˈæspəreɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈæspəˌreɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'asperate' as related to 'asperity' (harshness). To asperate is to create asperity on a surface or in a tone.
Conceptual Metaphor
HARSHNESS IS ROUGHNESS (e.g., His asperated tone grated on her).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'asperate' MOST likely to be encountered today?