First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
1mordant
adjective mor·dant \ˈmȯr-dənt\
: expressing harsh criticism especially in a way that is funny
Full Definition of MORDANT
1
: biting and caustic in thought, manner, or style : incisive <a mordant wit>
2
: acting as a mordant
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Origin of MORDANT
Middle French, present participle of mordre to bite, from Latin mordēre; perhaps akin to Sanskrit mṛdnāti he presses, rubs
Related to MORDANT
Synonym Discussion of MORDANT
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>.
Rhymes with MORDANT
2mordant
noun
Definition of MORDANT
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
First Known Use of MORDANT
1791
3mordant
verb
Definition of MORDANT
transitive verb
: to treat with a mordant
First Known Use of MORDANT
1836
Medical Dictionary
mordant
noun mor·dant \ˈmȯrd-ənt\
Medical Definition of MORDANT
: a chemical that fixes a dye in or on a substance by combining with the dye to form an insoluble compound
—mordant transitive verb
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