caustic

/ˈkȯ-stik/

Latin causticus, from Greek kaustikos, from kaiein to burn

adjective

  1. capable of destroying or eating away by chemical action : corrosive

  2. marked by incisive sarcasm

  3. relating to or being the surface or curve of a caustic

The chemical was so caustic that it ate through the pipe.

caustic mordant acrid scathing mean stingingly incisive. caustic suggests a biting wit. mordant suggests a wit that is used with deadly effectiveness.

noun

  1. a caustic agent: such as

  2. a substance that burns or destroys organic tissue by chemical action

  3. a strong corrosive alkali (such as sodium hydroxide)

noun

  1. potassium hydroxide