caustic

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

noun any chemical substance that burns or destroys living tissue
adjective harsh or corrosive in tone
adjective of a substance, especially a strong acid; capable of destroying or eating away by chemical action

From the Latin causticus (“burning”), from Ancient Greek καυστικός (kaustikós, “burning”), from καυστός (kaustós, “burnt”) + -ικός (-ikós).

He smiled his caustic smile. — Tarrano the Conqueror, Ray Cummings
I matched his caustic tone. — Astounding Stories of Super-Science January 1930, Unknown
The French can be so caustic. — Terminal Compromise, Winn Schwartau

Type a word, a sentence, a book title, or a link to an English article. WordNet and the Classics answer.

Try

A library of classics · a vault of words · instant etymology & meaning