harshness of manner All this proceeds from the old man, whose proper character it is to be angry and bitter, and to exhibit rancor and asperity. — Arndt, Johann

c. 1200, asprete "hardship, harshness of feelings," a figurative use, from Old French asperité "difficulty, painful situation, harsh treatment" (12c., Modern French âpreté), from L [..]

An asperity is an area on a fault that is stuck. The earthquake rupture usually begins at an asperity. Asperity Flash Animation

n. Harshness or roughness of temper.

Microscopic protrusion on a metal surface that typically occurs with normal finishing processes. Ideally, lubrication should be sufficient to prevent asperities on each metal surface from protruding t [..]

(n) something hard to endure(n) harshness of manner

A term used in wear technology or tribology to describe a peak or projection from a surface.

a minute imperfection or irregularity in the magnetic coating of recording tape, which can cause variations in head-to-tape contact, asperity noise, and increased friction. Also called surface asperit [..]