mordacious

adjective

mor·​da·​cious
(ˈ)mȯ(r)¦dāshəs
1
: biting or given to biting
bitten in as with mordacious acidTimes Literary Supplement
2
: biting or sharp in manner or style : caustic
the lady's mordacious look showed plainly that she hated us allPauline R. Fadiman
mordaciously adverb

Word History

Etymology

Latin mordac-, mordax biting, given to biting (from mordēre to bite) + English -ious

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Cite this Entry

“Mordacious.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mordacious. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

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