I. ˈkȯs-tik 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
II. noun
Date: 15th century
1. : a caustic agent: as
a. : a substance that burns or destroys organic tissue by chemical action
b. : sodium hydroxide
2. : the envelope of rays emanating from a point and reflected or refracted by a curved surface