Main Entry: ¹caus·tic

Pronunciation: \ˈkȯs-tik\

Function: adjective

Etymology: Latin causticus, from Greek kaustikos, from kaiein to burn

Date: 14th century

1 : capable of destroying or eating away by chemical action : corrosive
2 : marked by incisive sarcasm
3 : relating to or being the surface or curve of a caustic

— caus·ti·cal·ly \-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

— caus·tic·i·ty \kȯ-ˈsti-sə-tē\ noun

synonyms caustic, mordant, acrid, scathing mean stingingly incisive. caustic suggests a biting wit <caustic comments>. mordant suggests a wit that is used with deadly effectiveness <mordant reviews of the play>. acrid implies bitterness and often malevolence <acrid invective>. scathing implies indignant attacks delivered with fierce severity <a scathing satire>.