First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1caustic
adjective caus·tic \ˈkȯs-tik\
: able to destroy or burn something by chemical action
: very harsh and critical
Full Definition of CAUSTIC
2
: marked by incisive sarcasm
3
: relating to or being the surface or curve of a caustic
— caus·ti·cal·ly \-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb
— caus·tic·i·ty \kȯ-ˈsti-sə-tē\ noun
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Examples of CAUSTIC
- His [Roosevelt's] caustic cousin, Alice Roosevelt Longworth, called him a sissy and a mama's boy. —Garry Wills, Atlantic, April 1994
- It was Schuyler's gift for satire and his caustic wit that distinguished his writings and led to his nickname, the Black Mencken. —Henry Louis Gates, Jr., New York Times Book Review, 20 Sept. 1992
- Albert quailed before those caustic pronouncements, he shuddered and blanched and felt his stomach drop like a croquette into a vat of hot grease. —T. Coraghessan Boyle, Harper's, October 1987
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Origin of CAUSTIC
Latin causticus, from Greek kaustikos, from kaiein to burn
Related to CAUSTIC
Synonym Discussion of CAUSTIC
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>.
2caustic
noun caus·tic \ˈkȯs-tik\
Definition of CAUSTIC
1
: a caustic agent: as a : a substance that burns or destroys organic tissue by chemical action b : sodium hydroxide
Origin of CAUSTIC
(see 1caustic)
First Known Use: 15th century
CAUSTIC Defined for Kids
caustic
adjective caus·tic \ˈkȯ-stik\
Definition of CAUSTIC for Kids
1
: capable of eating away by chemical action : corrosive
2
: very harsh and critical <caustic remarks>
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