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A burning or searing, as of morbid flesh, with a hot iron, or by application of a caustic that will burn, corrode, or destroy animal tissue.

gradually separating or destroying small particles of, as by action of a strong acid or a caustic alkali. Aqua fortis corroding copper . . . is wont to reduce it to a green- blue solution. Boyle.

Caustic. [Obs.]

was distinguished for contempt of the common aims and conditions of life, and for sharp, caustic sayings. Diogenes' crab (Zoöl.), a species of terrestrial hermit crabs (Cenobita Diogenes), abundant in the West Indies and often destructive to crops. -- Diogenes' tub, the tub which the philosopher Diogenes is said to h…

A medicine which eats away extraneous growths; a caustic.

ates from the healthy part of the body, as that produced by a burn, or the application of caustics.

Serving or tending to form an eschar;; producing a scar; caustic.

remove or separate water; eliminating water. Hydrolytic agents, such as sulphuric acid or caustic alkali. Encyc. Brit. Hydrolitic ferment (Physiol. Chem.), a ferment, enzyme, or chemical ferment, which acts only in the presence of water, and which causes the substance acted upon to take up a molecule of water. Thus, di…

formed from albuminous matter, together with skatol, by putrefaction, and by fusion with caustic potash, and is present in human excrement, as well as in the intestinal canal of some herbivora.

ed to explode, and destroy life or property. -- Infernal stone (lapis infernalis), lunar caustic; formerly so called. The name was also applied to caustic potash.

A form of capsule for inclosing a dose of medicine that is offensive, caustic, or the like.

[NL.] (Min.) Calamine. -- Lapis infernalis (. Etym: [L.] Fused nitrate of silver; lunar caustic.

Oxide of calcium; the white or gray, caustic substance, usually called quicklime, obtained by calcining limestone or shells, the heat driving off carbon dioxide and leaving lime. It develops great heat when treated with water, forming slacked lime, and is an essential ingredient of cement, plastering, mortar, etc.CaO…

The oxide of lithium; a strong alkaline caustic similar to potash and soda, but weaker. See Lithium. Lithia emerald. See Hiddenite.

The capital city of England. London paste (Med.), a paste made of caustic soda and unslacked lime; -- used as a caustic to destroy tumors and other morbid enlargements. -- London pride. (Bot.) (a) A garden name for Saxifraga umbrosa, a hardy perennial herbaceous plant, a native of high lands in Great Britain. (b) A na…

uenced by the moon, as in growth, character, or properties; as, lunar herbs. Bacon. Lunar caustic (Med. Chem.), silver nitrate prepared to be used as a cautery; -- so named because silver was called luna by the ancient alchemists. -- Lunar cycle. Same as Metonic cycle. See under Cycle. -- Lunar distance, the angular…

A strong caustic alkaline solution of potassium salts, obtained by leaching wood ashes. It is much used in making soap, etc.

To treat (cotton fiber or fabrics) with a solution of caustic alkali. Such treatment causes the fiber to shrink in length and become stronger and more receptive of dyes. If the yarn or cloth is kept under tension during the process, it assumes a silky luster. -- Mer`cer*i*za"tion (#), n.

A polymeric modification of acrolein obtained by heating it with caustic potash. It is a crystalline substance having an aromatic odor.

Biting; caustic; sarcastic; keen; severe.