mordacious

[ mawr-dey-shuh s ]
/ mɔrˈdeɪ ʃəs /

adjective

biting or given to biting.
sharp or caustic in style, tone, etc.

Origin of mordacious

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

OTHER WORDS FROM mordacious

mor·da·cious·ly, adverb mor·dac·i·ty [mawr-das-i-tee] /mɔrˈdæs ɪ ti/, noun

Example sentences from the Web for mordacious

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

    The Day of Days |Louis Joseph Vance
  • Grand-duke and taxes were synonymes, according to this mordacious lexicographer!

British Dictionary definitions for mordacious

mordacious
/ (mɔːˈdeɪʃəs) /

adjective

sarcastic, caustic, or biting

Derived forms of mordacious

mordaciously, adverb mordacity (mɔːˈdæsɪtɪ) or mordaciousness, noun

Word Origin for mordacious

C17: from Latin mordax, from mordēre to bite