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mordant

[ mawr-dnt ]
/ ˈmɔr dnt /
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See synonyms for mordant on Thesaurus.com
adjective
noun
verb (used with object)
to impregnate or treat with a mordant.
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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

OTHER WORDS FROM mordant

mor·dant·ly, adverbun·mor·dant, adjectiveun·mor·dant·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to mordant

acerbic, biting, caustic, sardonic, scathing, acid, bitter, cutting, mean, sharp, acerb, cynical, disparaging, disrespectful, poignant, pointed

How to use mordant in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for mordant

mordant
/ (ˈmɔːdənt) /
adjective
sarcastic or caustic
having the properties of a mordant
pungent
noun
a substance used before the application of a dye, possessing the ability to fix colours in textiles, leather, etcSee also lake 2 (def. 1)
an acid or other corrosive fluid used to etch lines on a printing plate
verb
(tr) to treat (a fabric, yarn, etc) with a mordant

Derived forms of mordant

mordancy, nounmordantly, adverb

Word Origin for mordant

C15: from Old French: biting, from mordre to bite, from Latin mordēre
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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