Found 2 items, similar to mordant.
English → English (WordNet) Definition: mordant 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
English → English (gcide) Definition: Mordant Mordant \Mor"dant\, a. [F., p. pr. of mordere to bite; L. mordere. See Morsel.] 1. Biting; caustic; sarcastic; keen; severe. [1913 Webster] 2. (Dyeing & Calico Printing) Serving to fix colors. [1913 Webster] Mordant \Mor"dant\, n. [F., originally, biting.] 1. Any corroding substance used in etching. [1913 Webster] 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. [1913 Webster] 3. (Gilding) Any sticky matter by which the gold leaf is made to adhere. [1913 Webster] 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. [1913 Webster]