mordacious

American  

[mawr-dey-shuhs] / mɔrˈdeɪ ʃəs /

adjective

1. biting or given to biting.

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

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mordacious British  

/ mɔːˈdæsɪtɪ, mɔːˈdeɪʃəs /

adjective

1. sarcastic, caustic, or biting

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Other Word Forms

• mordaciously adverb
• mordacity noun

Etymology

Origin of mordacious

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

Example Sentences

Grand-duke and taxes were synonymes, according to this mordacious lexicographer!

From Curiosities of Literature, Vol. 3 by Disraeli, Isaac

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 Amenities of Literature Consisting of Sketches and Characters of English Literature by Disraeli, Isaac

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 Wolf Breed by Gregory, Jackson

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

From The Day of Days An Extravaganza by Brown, Arthur William