caustic
의미: Bitingly sarcastic or cutting in speech or manner. Also describing a chemical substance capable of burning or corroding organic tissue.
Caustic operates in two registers. In chemistry, it describes strongly alkaline substances such as caustic soda (sodium hydroxide) that can dissolve organic material. In figurative use — which is more common in general writing — it describes speech, wit, or commentary that is sharply mocking and potentially hurtful. A caustic remark cuts deeply; caustic humour entertains at someone else's expense. The dual meaning creates an effective metaphor: sharp words that burn like acid. It collocates with 'wit,' 'remark,' 'humour,' 'tone,' and 'soda.'
예문
- The theatre critic was renowned for his caustic wit, which could devastate a production in a single sentence. 那位戏剧评论家以其尖刻的才智著称,一句话就能将一部作品批得体无完肤。El crítico teatral era célebre por su ingenio cáustico, capaz de devastar una producción en una sola frase.その演劇評論家は辛辣な機知で知られ、一文で公演を壊滅させることができた。그 연극 비평가는 단 한 문장으로 공연을 초토화시킬 수 있는 신랄한 재치로 유명했다.
- Her caustic assessment of the government's housing policy left the minister visibly uncomfortable during the interview. 她对政府住房政策的尖锐评估让那位部长在采访中明显感到不自在。Su cáustica valoración de la política de vivienda del Gobierno dejó al ministro visiblemente incómodo durante la entrevista.政府の住宅政策に対する彼女の痛烈な評価は、インタビュー中に大臣を明らかに居心地悪くさせた。정부의 주택 정책에 대한 그녀의 통렬한 평가는 인터뷰 중 장관을 눈에 띄게 불편하게 만들었다.
- Laboratory safety regulations require that caustic substances be stored in clearly labelled, corrosion-resistant containers. 实验室安全规程要求腐蚀性物质必须存放在标识清楚、耐腐蚀的容器中。Las normas de seguridad del laboratorio exigen que las sustancias cáusticas se almacenen en recipientes etiquetados con claridad y resistentes a la corrosión.実験室の安全規則では、腐食性物質は明確に表示された耐腐食性の容器に保管することが義務付けられている。실험실 안전 규정은 부식성 물질을 명확히 표시된 내식성 용기에 보관하도록 의무화하고 있다.
발음
사용 가이드
맥락: academic, general
어조: neutral
기원과 역사
From Greek kaustikos (capable of burning), from kaiein (to burn). Entered English through Latin causticus in the 14th century. The figurative sense of biting speech developed by the 17th century.
문화적 배경
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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