mordacious

[mawr-dey-shuhs]

adjective

1. biting or given to biting.

2. sharp or caustic in style, tone, etc.

mordacious

/ mɔːˈdæsɪtɪ, mɔːˈdeɪʃəs /

adjective

1. sarcastic, caustic, or biting

Other Word Forms

• mordaciously adverb
• mordacity noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of mordacious¹

1640–50; < Latin mordāci- (stem of mordāx given to biting) + -ous

Word History and Origins

Origin of mordacious¹

C17: from Latin mordax, from mordēre to bite

Example Sentences

Warton contents himself with what he calls “a sensible criticism,” taken from Harrison, a Protestant minister, and one of the partners of Holinshed’s Chronicle; it is as mordacious as a periodical criticism.

From Project Gutenberg

Hard, mordacious, no man's friend … that was the David Drennen who at P�re Marquette's f�te sought any quarrel to which he might lay his hands.

From Project Gutenberg

Unable longer to endure the lash of his mordacious wit, Shaynon turned and left them alone on the balcony.

From Project Gutenberg