— caustically, causticly , adv. — causticity /kaw stis"i tee/ , causticness , n.
/kaw"stik/ , adj.
1. capable of burning, corroding, or destroying living tissue.
2. severely critical or sarcastic: a caustic remark.
n.
3. a caustic substance.
4. Optics.
a. See caustic curve .
b. See caustic surface .
[ 1350-1400; ME causticus kaustikós burning, caustic, equiv. to kaust ( ós ) burnt (v. adj. of kaíein to burn) + -ikos -IC ]
Syn. 2. biting, mordant, bitter, scathing, acid.