Pronunciation: /ˈmɔrdənsi/

Definitions of mordancy

noun the quality of being biting or caustic in style or tone

Example Sentences

A1 The comedian's mordancy made the audience laugh.

A2 Her mordancy in response to criticism surprised her coworkers.

B1 The politician's mordancy in debates often alienates voters.

B2 The professor's mordancy towards lazy students was well-known.

C1 The author's mordancy in his writing style added depth to his novels.

C2 Her mordancy in analyzing complex issues was admired by her peers.

adjective having a biting or caustic quality

Example Sentences

A1 The mordancy comment hurt her feelings.

A2 His mordancy sense of humor often gets him into trouble.

B1 The mordancy tone of the article made it difficult to read.

B2 She was known for her mordancy wit in social circles.

C1 The writer's mordancy critique of society sparked a heated debate.

C2 His mordancy observations on politics were both insightful and cutting.

Examples of mordancy in a Sentence

formal The critic's mordancy in his reviews often left the artists feeling disheartened.

informal Her mordancy when joking around can sometimes be a bit too much.

slang I can't handle his mordancy, it's just too harsh.

figurative The mordancy of his words cut through the tension in the room like a knife.

Grammatical Forms of mordancy

plural

mordancies

comparative

more mordant

superlative

most mordant

present tense

mordances

future tense

will mordance

perfect tense

has mordanced

continuous tense

is mordancing

singular

mordancy

positive degree

mordant

infinitive

to mordance

gerund

mordancing

participle

mordanced

Origin and Evolution of mordancy

First Known Use: 1601 year
Language of Origin: Latin
Story behind the word: The word 'mordancy' originated from the Latin word 'mordere' which means 'to bite'.
Evolution of the word: Originally used to describe a biting or sarcastic quality in speech or writing, the word 'mordancy' has evolved to also encompass a sharpness or severity in tone or wit.