mordant

Meanings

1. Having or showing a sharp or critical quality.
2. Serving to fix a dye to a fiber.

1. Any substance used to facilitate the fixing of a dye to a fibre; usually a metallic compound which reacts with the dye using chelation.
2. Any corrosive substance used in etching.
3. A glutinous size used as a ground for gilding, to make the gold leaf adhere.

1. To subject to the action of, or imbue with, a mordant.

Etymology

From French mordant, from Latin mordeō. Doublet of mordent.