mordant

mordant Definition

mor·dant (môr′dənt)

adjective

Etymology: ME mordent < OFr mordant, prp. of mordre, to bite < L mordere < IE *merd-, var. of base *mer-: see morbid

noun

a substance used in dyeing to fix the coloring matter, as a metallic compound that combines with the organic dye to form an insoluble colored compound, or lake, in the fiber of the fabric
an acid or other corrosive substance used in etching to bite lines, areas, etc. into the surface

transitive verb

to treat or impregnate with a mordant

mordant Related Forms

mor′·dancy noun mor′·dantly adverb

mordant Synonyms

modif.

stringent, bitter, sharp; see severe 2.

mordant Usage Examples

Converse of object

use: Each metal has its own characteristic spectrum, enabling the mordant used to be identified.

Modifies a noun

wit: He was a good speaker, lucid in his lectures, persuasive in conversation; and he had a mordant wit.
humor: The serious nature of the subject matter is always undercut with Finn's mordant humor.
comedy: Billy Wilder won two Oscars - as co-screenwriter and director - for this mordant comedy about getting ahead in the corporate world.
sarcasm: Heine himself saw through the humbug, and a mordant sarcasm and then clear-sighted opposition to convention increasingly broke through.

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