n.
Pronunciation: ' mo ̇ r-d ə nt
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle French, present participle of mordre to bite, from Latin mord ē re; perhaps akin to Sanskrit m ṛ dn ā ti he presses, rubs
Date: 15th century
1 : biting and caustic in thought, manner, or style : INCISIVE <a mordant wit>
2 : acting as a mordant
3 : BURNING , PUNGENT
synonyms see CAUSTIC
– mor · dant · ly adverb