Caustic

KAW-stik

Definition

  1. (adjective) Capable of burning, corroding, or destroying organic tissue.
  2. Harshly critical or sarcastic.

Example

His caustic wit often left people unsure whether to laugh or take offense.

Fun Fact

The word “caustic” originally comes from the Greek kaustikos, meaning “burning.” While it first described substances that physically burned, it later extended to describe sharp, biting remarks that metaphorically “burn” through conversation. Some of history’s most famous figures, including Winston Churchill and Dorothy Parker, were known for their caustic humor.

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