caus·tic (kô st k)adj. 1. Capable of burning, corroding, dissolving, or eating away by chemical action. 2. Corrosive and bitingly trenchant; cutting. See Synonyms at sarcastic. 3. Causing a burning or stinging sensation, as from intense emotion: "Most of all, there is caustic shame for my own stupidity" (Scott Turow). n. 1. A caustic material or substance. 2. A hydroxide of a light metal. 3. The enveloping surface formed by light rays reflecting or refracting from a curved surface, especially one with spherical aberration. [Middle English caustik, from Latin causticus, from Greek kaustikos, from kaustos, from kaiein, kau-, to burn.] caus ti·cal·ly adv.caus·tic i·ty (kô-sts-t ) n. |
causticism, causticity
a sharp, tart wittiness. Also causticness. — caustic, adj.
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