caustic

[ kaw-stik ]
/ ˈkɔ stɪk /

adjective

capable of burning, corroding, or destroying living tissue.
severely critical or sarcastic: a caustic remark.

noun

a caustic substance.

Origin of caustic

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin causticus < Greek kaustikós burning, caustic, equivalent to kaust(ós) burnt (verbal adjective of kaíein to burn) + -ikos -ic

OTHER WORDS FROM caustic

Example sentences from the Web for caustically

British Dictionary definitions for caustically

caustic
/ (ˈkɔːstɪk) /

adjective

capable of burning or corroding by chemical action caustic soda
sarcastic; cutting a caustic reply
of, relating to, or denoting light that is reflected or refracted by a curved surface

noun

Also called: caustic surface a surface that envelops the light rays reflected or refracted by a curved surface
Also called: caustic curve a curve formed by the intersection of a caustic surface with a plane
chem a caustic substance, esp an alkali

Derived forms of caustic

caustical, adjective caustically, adverb causticity (kɔːˈstɪsɪtɪ) or causticness, noun

Word Origin for caustic

C14: from Latin causticus, from Greek kaustikos, from kaiein to burn

Medical definitions for caustically

caustic
[ kôstĭk ]

n.

A hydroxide of a light metal.
A caustic material or substance.

adj.

Capable of burning, corroding, dissolving, or eating away by chemical action.
Of or relating to light emitted from a point source and reflected or refracted from a curved surface.
Causing a burning or stinging sensation.