Caustic: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• The word comes from the Greek 'kaustikos', meaning 'burning'.
• It was first recorded in the English language in the 17th century, and it originally referred to substances that can cause tissue destruction.

Science

• Caustic substances include sodium hydroxide and sulfuric acid, widely used in cleaning and industrial processes.
• In chemistry, caustic means that a substance can chemically react with and destroy biological tissues.

Literature

• Authors like Oscar Wilde used caustic wit in their writing, often to critique society.
• In modern literature, characters who use caustic language are usually portrayed as sharp-tongued or brutally honest.

Pop Culture

• In movies and shows, caustic humor often leads to memorable quotes due to its biting nature.
• Comedians often master caustic remarks to create punchlines that are both funny and sharply critical.

Psychology

• People who use caustic language may be expressing high levels of frustration or a deep knowledge of a subject.
• Studies show that caustic comments can influence group dynamics, often polarizing opinions.

Ranked #10,501, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.

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• 10498 amiable
• 10499 rumors
• 10500 signified
• 10501 caustic
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