I. ˈkȯstik, -ēk adjective
Etymology: Latin causticus, from Greek kaustikos, from kaustos (verbal of kaiein to burn) + -ikos -ic; akin to Lithuanian kulė smut of plants
1. : capable of destroying the texture of anything or eating away its substance by chemical action : corrosive: as
a. : capable of destroying animal or other organic tissue
silver nitrate and sulfuric acid are caustic agents
b. : strongly alkaline
caustic liquors
caustic lyes
2. : marked by or indicative of tart sharpness ; specifically : characterized by incisive wit
a caustic reply
a bitter, caustic , and backbiting humor — Sir Walter Scott
a caustic and disillusioned satirist, trenchant, arrogant — J.L.Lowes
• caus·ti·cal·ly -tə̇k(ə)lē, -ēk-, -li or caus·tic·ly -klē, -kli adverb
• caus·tic·ness -tiknə̇s, -tēk- noun -es
II. noun
( -s )
1. : a caustic agent: as
a. : a substance or means that can burn, corrode, or destroy animal or other organic tissue by chemical action : escharotic
b. : caustic alkali
2.
a. : caustic curve
b. : caustic surface