causticity

Noun

causticity (countable and uncountable, plural causticities)

1. The quality of being physically caustic; burning, corrosive.
   • Causticity is that sharp and corroding quality, which many substances possess, such as the mineral acids, especially when concentrated, alkalies fixed and volatile, quicklime, arsenic, corrosive sublimate, lunar crystals, butter of antimony, and even most other salts with metallic bases.1777, Pierre Macquer, translated by James Keir, A Dictionary of Chemistry, volume III, London: T. Cadell & P. Elmsly
   • Some years ago, we read in a U.S. trade paper a method for determining causticity of bottle-washing solution when foil labels are contained on the bottles undergoing cleansing treatment.1961, Bottling: A Quarterly Supplement to the Brewing Trade Review, numbers 147-154, page 171
2. (figuratively) Being caustic in speech, humour etc.
   • […] one in whom a discreet causticity went along with a manner less genial than polite […]1924, Herman Melville, chapter 22, in Billy Budd, London: Constable & Co.
   • He had not, he remarked with crushing causticity to one of his ministers, liberated France ‘to worry about the macaroni ration’.1977, Alistair Horne, A Savage War of Peace, New York: Review Books, published 2006, page 65

   Synonyms:

   pungency