sardonic
[ sahr-don-ik ]
/ sɑrˈdɒn ɪk /
adjective
characterized by bitter or scornful derision; mocking; cynical; sneering: a sardonic grin.
Origin of sardonic
1630–40; alteration of earlier
sardonian (influenced by French
sardonique) < Latin
sardoni(us) (< Greek
sardónios of Sardinia) +
-an; alluding to a Sardinian plant which when eaten was supposed to produce convulsive laughter ending in death
OTHER WORDS FROM sardonic
sar·don·i·cal·ly, adverb sar·don·i·cism, noun un·sar·don·ic, adjective un·sar·don·i·cal·ly, adverbWords nearby sardonic
sardine,
sardinia,
sardinian,
sardis,
sardius,
sardonic,
sardonic grin,
sardonyx,
sardou,
saree,
sarera bay
Example sentences from the Web for sardonicism
MacMaine laughed, allowing the touch of sardonicism that he felt to be heard in the laughter.
The Highest Treason |Randall Garrett
British Dictionary definitions for sardonicism
sardonic
/ (sɑːˈdɒnɪk) /
adjective
characterized by irony, mockery, or derision
Derived forms of sardonic
sardonically, adverb sardonicism, nounWord Origin for sardonic
C17: from French
sardonique, from Latin
sardonius, from Greek
sardonios derisive, literally: of Sardinia, alteration of Homeric
sardanios scornful (laughter or smile)