(of a chemical substance 化学物质 able to destroy or dissolve (= remove or destroy by a chemical process) other substances 腐蚀性的；苛性的 a caustic cleaning product 腐蚀性清洁产品 caustic liquid that blisters the skin 刺激皮肤的腐蚀性液体 a highly caustic chemical 腐蚀性极强的化学物质
critical in a bitter or sarcastic way 尖酸刻薄的；挖苦的；讥讽的 caustic comments/wit 刻薄话；长于讽刺 Her speech was a caustic attack on government officials. 她的讲话是对政府官员的苛刻攻击。
Extra ExamplesLisa ignored the caustic comment. 丽莎忽略了这个苛刻的评论。 She was frantically trying to think up some caustic reply. 她疯狂地试图想出一些苛刻的回答。
Word Originlate Middle English: via Latin from Greek kaustikos, from kaustos ‘combustible’, from kaiein ‘to burn’.