sardonic

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Adjective 1.3.1 Related terms 1.3.2 Translations

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

French sardonique < Latin sardonius < Ancient Greek σαρδόνιος (sardonios), alternate form of σαρδάνιος (sardanios), “‘bitter or scornful laughter’”), which is often cited as deriving from the Sardinian plant (Ranunculus sardous), known as either σαρδάνη (sardanē) or σαρδόνιον (sardonion). When eaten, it would cause the eater's face to contort in a look resembling scorn (generally followed by death). It might also be related to σαίρω (sairō), “‘I grin’”).

[edit] Pronunciation

• (Aus) IPA: /saːˈdɔnɪk/
• (RP) IPA: /sɑːˈdɒnɪk/
• (US) IPA: /sɑːˈdɑːnɪk/
•  Audio (US)^{help, file}
• Rhymes: -ɒnɪk

[edit] Adjective

sardonic (comparative more sardonic, superlative most sardonic)

1. Scornfully mocking or cynical.

   He distances himself from people with his nasty, sardonic laughter.

2. Disdainfully or ironically humorous.

[edit] Related terms

• sardonian

[edit] Translations