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caustic

caustic

8 7.6
Able to burn or damage skin
  • adjective
  • /ˈkɔːstɪk/
  • Specialized
: cáustico
  • Sorsby and Symons found that patients with caustic burns of the conjunctiva with corneal involvement could be treated successfully using amniotic membranes.
  • caustic soda
  • caustic solution
  • caustic soda and water

Examples

  • It's, uh... very caustic in its purest form.

  • Part of the bleaching sequence involves using caustic to remove the chlorine from the pulp.

    Academic text (1996)
  • From all my reading on acids and caustic materials, they all refer to the pH of a product.

    Blog text (18)
  • What you're feeling is a caustic agent... being applied directly to a nerve.

  • Its chemical-resistant composition makes it suitable for applications where caustic gases are used.

    Academic text (1995)
  • Plants and animals dissolve in a caustic solution more readily than in an acidic solution.

    Blog text (31)
  • The superficial veins become sclerosed either from infections or from the caustic effect of the material being injected.

    Academic text (1996)
  • Of the patients with gastrointestinal symptoms from exposure to the caustic soda water, approximately 28 percent were diagnosed with gastritis or enteritis.

    Academic text (1998)
  • The scientists warned that the chemical spill released a caustic substance that could harm wildlife.

  • After accidentally touching the caustic cleaner, he quickly rinsed his hands to avoid a chemical burn.

Synonyms

corrosive
vscaustic
  • Specialized
14 6.6

Able to eat away materials by a chemical reaction, for example strong acids

focuses on destroying or burning organic tissue by strong acids or alkalis
erosive
vscaustic
1 6.4

A thing that slowly wears something away by wind, water, or chemicals

involves chemical burning or corrosion of living tissue rather than slow wear
mordant
vscaustic
  • Specialized
1 9.9

Able to eat away materials by chemical action like a strong acid

applies specifically to strong acids or alkalis that chemically burn organic tissue
vitriolic
vscaustic
  • Specialized
1 9.6

A very strong acid that can burn skin and metal

refers to substances that chemically burn or corrode tissue not necessarily extremely

Antonyms

59 6.2

Kind and gentle and not likely to cause harm

noncorrosive
  • Specialized
1 4.2

A material or product that does not damage other things with chemicals

Compounds

1 6.1

A very strong chemical that can burn skin and is used to make soap and clean things

caustic remark
  • Offensive
1 7.2

A harshly critical comment that aims to hurt or mock someone

caustic potash
  • Specialized
1 7.0

A strong chemical used to make soap and fertilizers that can burn your skin

caustic lime
  • Specialized
6.6

A white powder made by heating limestone, used in building and farming

lunar caustic
  • Archaic
9.9

A silver stick that doctors used to burn away warts and small growths

How Corrosive

corrosive
  • Specialized
14 6.6
caustic
  • Specialized
8 7.6
irritating
6 3.1
harmless
214 1.0

Surface Forms

caustic positive

Morphology

caustic = caust + ic

The adjective is formed with the Greek combining form 'caust-' + '-ic'; because 'caust-' is not a standalone English word, average learners will not reliably infer 'able to burn' from the morphemes.

Etymology

Caustic comes from the Greek root kaustos meaning 'burning'. We call a substance caustic when it can 'burn' or eat away organic tissue, which shows how the original meaning connects to the modern use.