Category:Sardonic

Sar*don"ic, a. Etym: [f. sardonique, l. sardonius, gr. Sardinia, gr.

Defn: forced; unnatural; insincere; hence, derisive, mocking, Malignant, or bitterly sarcastic; -- applied only to a laugh, smile, Or some facial semblance of gayety. Where strained, sardonic smiles are glozing still, and grief is Forced to laugh against her will. Sir h. Wotton. The scornful, ferocious, sardonic grin of a bloody ruffian. Burke. Sardonic grin or laugh, an old medical term for a spasmodic affection Of the muscles of the face, giving it an appearance of laughter.

Sardonic Sar*don"ic, a.

Defn: of, pertaining to, or resembling, a kind of linen made at Colchis.