Hypertext Webster Gateway: "mordant"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Mordant \Mor"dant\, a. [F., p. pr. of mordere to bite; L.
mordere. See {Morsel}.]
1. Biting; caustic; sarcastic; keen; severe.
2. (Dyeing & Calico Printing) Serving to fix colors.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Mordant \Mor"dant\, n. [F., originally, biting.]
1. Any corroding substance used in etching.
2. (Dyeing & Calico Printing) Any substance, as alum or
copperas, which, having a twofold attraction for organic
fibers and coloring matter, serves as a bond of union, and
thus gives fixity to, or bites in, the dyes.
3. (Gilding) Any sticky matter by which the gold leaf is made
to adhere.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Mordant \Mor"dant\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Mordanted}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Mordanting}.]
To subject to the action of, or imbue with, a mordant; as, to
mordant goods for dyeing.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
mordant
adj : harshly ironic or sinister; "black humor"; "a grim joke";
"grim laughter"; "fun ranging from slapstick clowning
... to savage mordant wit" [syn: {black}, {grim}]
n : a substance used to treat leather or other materials before
dyeing; aids in dyeing process
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