a. [ L. mordax, -acis, fr. mordere, morsum, to bite. See Morsel. ] Biting; given to biting; hence, figuratively, sarcastic; severe; scathing. --
n. [ L. mordacitas: cf. F. mordacité. See Mordacious. ] The quality of being mordacious; biting severity, or sarcastic quality. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ F., originally, biting. ]
v. t.
a. [ F., p. pr. of mordere to bite; L. mordere. See Morsel. ]
adv. In the manner of a mordant. [ 1913 Webster ]
‖n. [ It. ] (Mus.) An embellishment resembling a trill. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. A biting quality; corrosiveness. [ R. ] Evelyn. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. [ L. mordicans, p. pr. of mordicare to bite, fr. mordere: cf. F. mordicant. ] Biting; acrid;
n. [ L. mordicatio. ] The act of biting or corroding; corrosion. [ R. ] Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]