English
caustic
Caustic comes from Latin causticus ‘burning’, from Ancient Greek καυστός ‘burnt’, and ultimately from Proto-Hellenic *káwyō.
- Proto-Hellenicc. 2200–1600 BCE*káwyōreconstructed
- Ancient Greekc. 800–300 BCEκαίωkaíō‘I burn’
- Ancient Greek, derivedc. 800–300 BCEκαυστός‘burnt’
- Ancient Greek, derivedc. 800–300 BCEκαυστικόςkaustikós‘burning’
- Latinc. 75 BCE–200 CEcausticus‘burning’
- Englishearliest quotation 1843caustic
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Earlier history uncertain.
Lineage
- Proto-Hellenicc. 2200–1600 BCE*káwyōreconstructed
- Ancient Greekc. 800–300 BCEκαίωkaíō‘I burn’
- Ancient Greek, derivedc. 800–300 BCEκαυστός‘burnt’
- Ancient Greek, derivedc. 800–300 BCEκαυστικόςkaustikós‘burning’
- Latinc. 75 BCE–200 CEcausticus‘burning’
- Englishearliest quotation 1843caustic
Earliest quotation: 1843, Charles Dickens: “How now!" said Scrooge, caustic and cold as ever.”
Linked words
through Proto-Indo-European *keh₂w- ‘to burn’
Today it means
adj Capable of burning, corroding or destroying organic tissue.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Proto-Hellenic *káwyō / caustic