释义 |
caus·tic I. \ˈkȯstik, -ēk\ adjective Etymology: Latin causticus, from Greek kaustikos, from kaustos (verbal of kaiein to burn) + -ikos -ic; akin to Lithuanian kulė smut of plants 1. : capable of destroying the texture of anything or eating away its substance by chemical action : corrosive: as a. : capable of destroying animal or other organic tissue < silver nitrate and sulfuric acid are caustic agents > b. : strongly alkaline < caustic liquors > < caustic lyes > 2. : marked by or indicative of tart sharpness; specifically : characterized by incisive wit < a caustic reply > < a bitter, caustic, and backbiting humor — Sir Walter Scott > < a caustic and disillusioned satirist, trenchant, arrogant — J.L.Lowes > • caus·ti·cal·ly \-tə̇k(ə)lē, -ēk-, -li\ or caus·tic·ly \-klē, -kli\ adverb • caus·tic·ness \-tiknə̇s, -tēk-\ noun -es II. noun (-s) 1. : a caustic agent: as a. : a substance or means that can burn, corrode, or destroy animal or other organic tissue by chemical action : escharotic b. : caustic alkali 2. a. : caustic curve b. : caustic surface |