Mordant
WordNet
adjective
(1) Of a substance, especially a strong acid; capable of destroying or eating away by chemical action
(2) Harshly ironic or sinister
"Black humor"
"A grim joke"
"Grim laughter"
"Fun ranging from slapstick clowning ... to savage mordant wit"
noun
(3) A substance used to treat leather or other materials before dyeing; aids in dyeing process
WiktionaryText
Adjective
- Biting; caustic; sarcastic; keen; severe.
- Serving to fix colors when dyeing.
- 1964, In dyeing two mediums are required, the colouring matter and the mordant which fixes the dye in the wool. — L.F. Salzman, English Industries of the Middle Ages, p. 208.
Noun
- Any substance used to facilitate the fixing of a dye to a fibre; usually a metallic compound which reacts with the dye using chelation.
Verb
- To subject to the action of, or imbue with, a mordant.
- mordant goods for dyeing