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mordant

mor·dant
M m

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • UK Pronunciation
    • UK IPA
    • [mawr-dnt]
    • /ˈmɔr dnt/
    • /ˈmɔː.dənt/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [mawr-dnt]
    • /ˈmɔr dnt/

Definitions of mordant word

  • adjective mordant sharply caustic or sarcastic, as wit or a speaker; biting. 1
  • adjective mordant burning; corrosive. 1
  • adjective mordant having the property of fixing colors, as in dyeing. 1
  • noun mordant a melodic embellishment consisting of a rapid alternation of a principal tone with the tone a half or a whole step below it, called single or short when the auxiliary tone occurs once and double or long when this occurs twice or more. 1
  • noun mordant inverted mordent. 1
  • verb with object mordant to impregnate or treat with a mordant. 1

Information block about the term

Origin of mordant

First appearance:

before 1425
One of the 25% oldest English words
1425-75; late Middle English < Middle French, present participle of mordre to bite ≪ Latin mordēre; see -ant

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Mordant

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation

mordant popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 80% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
This word is included in each student's vocabulary. Most likely there is at least one movie with this word in the title.

mordant usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for mordant

adj mordant

  • biting — Biting wind or cold is extremely cold.
  • caustic — Caustic chemical substances are very powerful and can dissolve other substances.
  • scathing — bitterly severe, as a remark: a scathing review of the play.
  • acerbic — sour in taste
  • sardonic — characterized by bitter or scornful derision; mocking; cynical; sneering: a sardonic grin.

adjective mordant

  • harsh — ungentle and unpleasant in action or effect: harsh treatment; harsh manners.
  • astringent — An astringent is a liquid that you put on your skin to make it less oily or to make cuts stop bleeding.
  • penetrating — able or tending to penetrate; piercing; sharp: a penetrating shriek; a penetrating glance.
  • sarcastic — of, relating to, or characterized by sarcasm: a sarcastic reply.
  • corrosive — A corrosive substance is able to destroy solid materials by a chemical reaction.

Antonyms for mordant

adj mordant

  • kind — of a good or benevolent nature or disposition, as a person: a kind and loving person.
  • pleasant — pleasing, agreeable, or enjoyable; giving pleasure: pleasant news.
  • calm — A calm person does not show or feel any worry, anger, or excitement.
  • mild — amiably gentle or temperate in feeling or behavior toward others.
  • nice — pleasing; agreeable; delightful: a nice visit.

adjective mordant

  • gentle — kindly; amiable: a gentle manner.

Top questions with mordant

  • what does mordant mean?
  • what is a mordant?
  • what is mordant?
  • what is mordant liquid?
  • what is mordant in microbiology?
  • what does a mordant do?
  • what is a mordant dye?
  • what is a mordant in music?
  • what is a mordant in microbiology?

See also

Matching words

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