sardonic
Definitions
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
- adjective Scornfully mocking or cynical.
- adjective Disdainfully or ironically humorous.
Examples
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They also accused her of being sardonic, and although there was uncertainty about the meaning of the word, they knew that it was not a desirable quality in a woman, being one which gentlemen particularly disliked.
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"Oh please," I said. "I don't believe that. Time's not water and we're not fish and you can choose to be eaten and also not to eat—not to eat,", I added quickly, turning a little red before his delighted and sardonic smile, "the little fish, of course."
Note
The word 'sardonic' comes from the French sardonique, from Latin sardonius, from an Ancient Greek word meaning "bitter or scornful laughter", which is often cited as deriving from the Sardinian plant (Ranunculus sardous). 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 a Greek word meaning "I grin".
