mordancy

mor·dan·cy

noun \ˈmȯr-d^ən(t)-sē\

Definition of MORDANCY

1

: a biting and caustic quality of style : incisiveness

2

: a sharply critical or bitter quality of thought or feeling : harshness

Examples of MORDANCY

1. <the surprising mordancy with which the two physicians contested each other's claim to having discovered an effective vaccine for polio>

First Known Use of MORDANCY

circa 1656

Related to MORDANCY

Synonyms: acidity, acidness, acridity, acridness, asperity, bile, bitterness, cattiness, corrosiveness, acrimony, tartness, virulence, virulency, vitriol

Related Words: gruffness, harshness, hostility, relentlessness, severity, sternness, vehemence; coldness, crossness, discourteousness, iciness, impoliteness, incivility, nastiness, rudeness, sourness, surliness, ungraciousness; anger, animosity, gall, jaundice, malevolence, malice, rancor, scorn, spite, spleen, venom, vindictiveness; jealousy, pique, resentment, sour grapes

Near Antonyms: civility, cordiality, courtesy, diplomacy, geniality, graciousness, kindness, politeness, tactfulness; compassion, softness, sweetness, sympathy, tenderness, warmth; oiliness, smoothness, suaveness, suavity, unctuousness, urbanity

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