a substance used to treat leather or other materials before dyeing; aids in dyeing process

harshly ironic or sinister; black humor; a grim joke; grim laughter; fun ranging from slapstick clowning ... to savage mordant wit

[ Syn: black , grim ]

of a substance, especially a strong acid; capable of destroying or eating away by chemical action

[ Syn: caustic , corrosive , erosive , vitriolic ]