mordant

American  

[mawr-dnt] / ˈmɔr 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.

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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 British  

/ ˈmɔːdənt /

adjective

1. sarcastic or caustic

2. having the properties of a mordant

3. pungent

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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

Other Word Forms

• mordancy
  noun
• mordantly
  adverb
• unmordant
  adjective
• unmordantly
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of mordant

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

Explanation

If you like Edgar Allan Poe and "The Addams Family," you have a taste for mordant entertainment — that is, anything particularly grim or dark in nature. The original meaning of mordant (which comes from the Latin word modere, meaning "to bite or sting,") was that of a physical substance that literally bit into something, such as the one used to set dye into fabrics, or etch lines into a copper plate. Now, mordant generally refers to a dark or biting artistic style, sense of humor, or psychological outlook.

Example Sentences

Mordant jokes about his politically unlucky surname aside, Harris has a vaguely Clintonite or Obama-esque manner and is given to documenting his every encounter on social media.

From Salon • Dec. 2, 2024

The leader of the Commons Penny Mordant described her suggestion as "interesting".

From BBC • Feb. 22, 2024

Also unclear is the status of the five trustees who joined the board under Biesenbach in 2018, namely Dr. Adrian Cheng, Marina Kellen French, Simon Mordant, Sean Parker and Julia Stoschek.

From New York Times • Sep. 10, 2021

“I’ve never been so consciously influenced by my being Catholic,” said Catherine Mordant, 46 years old, a stay-at-home mother of four children who voted for Mr. Fillon.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 3, 2017

Mordant wool with 1/4 lb. alum and 1/2 oz. tartar for one hour; wring out and put away in a bag for some days.

From Vegetable Dyes Being a Book of Recipes and Other Information Useful to the Dyer by Mairet, Ethel M.

Related Words

• acerbic
• biting
• caustic
• sardonic
• scathing