causticity Definition

caustic
adj

1. chem.
Said of a chemical substance, eg sodium hydroxide: strongly alkaline and corrosive to living tissue.
Thesaurus: corrosive, burning, erosive, acrid, alkaline, gnawing, destructive.
2. Said of remarks, etc: sarcastic; cutting; bitter.

Thesaurus: sarcastic, biting, scathing, sharp, sardonic, stinging, withering, vitriolic, incisive, pungent.

noun

1. caustic soda.
2. optics.
The curve produced when parallel rays of light are reflected in a large concave mirror, or refracted by a convex lens.

Derivative: caustically
adverb

Derivative: causticity
noun

Etymology: 14c: from Latin causticus, from Greek kaustikos capable of burning.