| 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 |