I. ˈmȯr-d ə nt adjective
Etymology: Middle French, present participle of mordre to bite, from Latin mordēre; perhaps akin to Sanskrit mṛdnāti 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
II. noun
Date: 1791
1. : a chemical that fixes a dye in or on a substance by combining with the dye to form an insoluble compound
2. : a corroding substance used in etching
III. transitive verb
Date: 1836
: to treat with a mordant