mordant

[ mawr-dnt ]

adjective

1. sharply caustic or sarcastic, as wit or a speaker; biting.

   Synonyms: scathing, acerbic, cutting

2. burning; corrosive.
3. having the property of fixing colors, as in dyeing.

noun

1. a substance used in dyeing to fix the coloring matter, especially a metallic compound, as an oxide or hydroxide, that combines with the organic dye and forms an insoluble colored compound or lake in the fiber.
2. an adhesive substance for binding gold or silver leaf to a surface.
3. an acid or other corrosive substance used in etching to eat out the lines, areas, etc.
4. Music. mordent.

verb (used with object)

1. to impregnate or treat with a mordant.

mordant

/ ˈmɔːdənt /

adjective

1. sarcastic or caustic
2. having the properties of a mordant
3. pungent

noun

1. a substance used before the application of a dye, possessing the ability to fix colours in textiles, leather, etc See also lake 2
2. an acid or other corrosive fluid used to etch lines on a printing plate

verb

1. tr to treat (a fabric, yarn, etc) with a mordant

Derived Forms

• ˈmordantly, adverb
• ˈmordancy, noun

Other Words From

• mordant·ly adverb
• un·mordant adjective
• un·mordant·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of mordant¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Middle French, present participle of mordre “to bite,” ultimately derived from Latin mordēre; -ant

Word History and Origins

Origin of mordant¹

C15: from Old French: biting, from mordre to bite, from Latin mordēre

Example Sentences

Instead, war broke out across Europe, and Asquith made his mordant headache joke on the way to the historical dumpster.

From Salon

Yes, there's been some mordant chuckling in the media over his bizarre comments about "the late great Hannibal Lecter" and his meandering tales about electric boats and shark attacks.

From Salon

His gimlet-eyed observations and mordant humor announced the arrival of a playwright with something to say and the fiery eloquence with which to say it.

From Los Angeles Times

The members seemed to take that as an official offer, as opposed to a mordant joke.

From Los Angeles Times

Typical of Lucy, it’s a funny bit with a mordant edge, bemoaning her situation by making light of it.

From New York Times

Related Words

• acerbic
• biting
• caustic
• sardonic
• scathing