mordant

• Bezeichnet eine scharf beißende, ätzende oder verletzend spöttische Art, oft in Bezug auf Witz, Humor oder Kritik; kann auch wörtlich eine ätzende Substanz meinen.

Describes a sharp, critical, or sarcastic quality, often used in reference to wit or humor.

1. Biting or caustic in toneC1formal

   Expressing harsh criticism or sharp wit, often with a dark or ironic edge.

   Bissig

   • The critic's mordant review left the author feeling humiliated.
   • His mordant sense of humor often made people uncomfortable.
   • She delivered a mordant comment about the state of modern politics.

   Synonymeacerbicacrimoniousbittercausticcuttingsarcasticsardonicscathingsharptrenchantvitriolic

   Antonymeblandgentlekindmildsoothing

2. Corrosive or destructiveC2formal

   Describing a substance, especially a strong acid, that can chemically eat away or destroy materials.

   Ätzend

   • The mordant acid quickly dissolved the metal sample.
   • Laboratory technicians handle mordant chemicals with extreme caution.
   • The mordant solution was used to etch the glass surface.

   Synonymecausticcorrosivedestructiveeatingerosive

   Antonymepreservativeprotective

• Beizmittel, das Materialien wie Leder oder Stoff vor dem Färben behandelt wird, um den Farbstoff zu fixieren und die Farbbeständigkeit zu verbessern; auch ein Ätzmittel in der Metallverarbeitung.

A substance used to treat materials such as leather or fabric before dyeing, helping to fix the dye and improve colorfastness.

1. Dyeing substanceC1formaltechnical

   A substance, typically a metallic salt, used to fix a dye to a fabric or leather by forming an insoluble compound.

   Beize

   • The artisan applied a mordant to the wool before dyeing it.
   • Alum is a common mordant used in traditional textile dyeing.
   • Without a mordant, the color would quickly fade from the fabric.

   Synonymefixative