mordacious
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Mordacious — Mor*da cious, a. [L. mordax, acis, fr. mordere, morsum, to bite. See {Morsel}.] Biting; given to biting; hence, figuratively, sarcastic; severe; scathing. {Mor*da cious*ly}, adv. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
mordacious — I adjective acerbic, acid, acrid, acrimonious, acute, biting, bitter, caustic, corrosive, cutting, harsh, incisive, knifelike, malicious, mordant, penetrating, piercing, pointed, pungent, rancorous, raw, rough, scathing, severe, sharp, slashing,… … Law dictionary
mordacious — (adj.) given to biting, 1640s (originally figurative), from L. mordac , stem of mordax, from mordere to bite, perhaps from PIE root (s)mer to rub away, harm (see SMART (Cf. smart) (v.)). Related: Mordacity … Etymology dictionary
mordacious — [môr dā′shəs] adj. [< L mordax (gen. mordacis), biting < base of mordere, to bite: see MORDANT & OUS] biting, sharp, acrid, or caustic mordaciously adv. mordacity [môrdas′ə tē] n … English World dictionary
mordacious — adjective 1. capable of wounding a barbed compliment a biting aphorism pungent satire • Syn: ↑barbed, ↑biting, ↑nipping, ↑pungent • Similar to: ↑ … Useful english dictionary
mordacious — mordaciously, adv. mordacity /mawr das i tee/, n. /mawr day sheuhs/, adj. 1. biting or given to biting. 2. sharp or caustic in style, tone, etc. [1640 50; < L mordaci (s. of mordax given to biting) + OUS] * * * … Universalium
mordacious — (Roget s Thesaurus II) adjective So sharp as to cause mental pain: acerbic, acid, acidic, acrid, astringent, biting, caustic, corrosive, cutting, mordant, pungent, scathing, sharp, slashing, stinging, trenchant, truculent, vitriolic. See ATTACK,… … English dictionary for students
mordacious — mÉ”r deɪʃəs /mÉ”Ë adj. caustic; sarcastic; tending to wound … English contemporary dictionary
mordacious — [mɔ: deɪʃəs] adjective formal 1》 bitingly sarcastic or abusive. 2》 given to biting. Derivatives mordacity noun Origin C17: from L. mordax, mordac biting + ious … English new terms dictionary
mordacious — a. 1. Biting. 2. Biting, pungent, stinging, cutting, sharp, mordant, acrid, mordicant. 3. Poignant, caustic, sarcastic, satirical, severe, scathing … New dictionary of synonyms
