Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun The property of being caustic, that is, of corroding or disorganizing animal matter, or the quality of combining with the principles of organized substances so as to destroy the tissue; corrosiveness. This property belongs to concentrated acids, pure alkalis, and some metallic salts.
  • noun Figuratively, severity of language; pungency; sarcasm.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun the quality of being caustic

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

caustic +‎ -ity

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Examples

  • His tone dripped causticity like acid from a ruptured battery.

    I Am Not A Psychic! Richard Belzer 2009

  • His tone dripped causticity like acid from a ruptured battery.

    I Am Not A Psychic! Richard Belzer 2009

  • His tone dripped causticity like acid from a ruptured battery.

    I Am Not A Psychic! Richard Belzer 2009

  • “A field!” said King Louis, looking up, and assuming his wonted causticity of tone and manner.

    Quentin Durward 2008

  • He regretted, with some causticity of humor, that her father should show such inequalities of temperament as to keep Grace tightly on his arm today, when he had quite lately seemed anxious to recognize their betrothal as a fact.

    The Woodlanders 2006

  • I know it will be all sense for the Church, and all causticity for Schism: he'll not forget the battle of Royd Lane.

    Shirley, by Charlotte Bronte 2004

  • Knowing what a number of enemies he had among the Parisian journalists and critics, whom he had satirized with increased causticity in his latest fiction, the author endeavoured to pack the theatre with his friends, but there was a large leakage in the sale of tickets; and, on the eventful evening, the seats were occupied by a majority of persons hostile to him.

    Balzac 2003

  • "Clubs" are next recommended for those fond of solitude, and their satin luxuries humorously quizzed; but "the Colonial System," which follows, has more causticity.

    The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction Volume 12, No. 322, July 12, 1828 Various

  • Their spirit, boldness, and occasional causticity caused them to be much talked about, and three editions were necessary to supply the demand for some numbers of the magazine containing them.

    International Miscellany of Literature, Art and Science, Vol. 1, No. 3, Oct. 1, 1850 Various

  • Knowing what a number of enemies he had among the Parisian journalists and critics, whom he had satirized with increased causticity in his latest fiction, the author endeavoured to pack the theatre with his friends, but there was a large leakage in the sale of tickets; and, on the eventful evening, the seats were occupied by a majority of persons hostile to him.

    Balzac Frederick Lawton

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