1. (

• mordant

) a substance used to treat leather or other materials before dyeing; aids in dyeing process ;

1. (

• black ,
• grim ,
• mordant

) harshly ironic or sinister; "black humor"; "a grim joke"; "grim laughter"; "fun ranging from slapstick clowning ... to savage mordant wit" ;

2. (

• caustic ,
• corrosive ,
• erosive ,
• vitriolic ,
• mordant

) of a substance, especially a strong acid; capable of destroying or eating away by chemical action ;