Mordant vs. Trenchant — What's the Difference?

A mordant or dye fixative is a substance used to set (i.e. bind) dyes on fabrics by forming a coordination complex with the dye, which then attaches to the fabric (or tissue).

Forceful and clear; penetrating

Bitingly sarcastic

Caustic; cutting

Incisive and trenchant

Distinct; clear-cut

Bitingly painful.

(obsolete) Fitted to trench or cut; gutting; sharp.

Serving to fix colors in dyeing.

(figuratively) Keen; biting; vigorously articulate and effective; severe.

A reagent, such as tannic acid, that fixes dyes to cells, tissues, or textiles or other materials.

Fitted to trench or cut; gutting; sharp.

A corrosive substance, such as an acid, used in etching.

Fig.: Keen; biting; severe; as, trenchant wit.

To treat with a mordant.

Having keenness and forcefulness and penetration in thought, expression, or intellect;

Having or showing a sharp or critical quality

Characterized by or full of force and vigor;

Serving to fix a dye to a fibre.

Clearly or sharply defined to the mind;

Any substance used to facilitate the fixing of a dye to a fibre; usually a metallic compound which reacts with the dye using chelation.

Any corrosive substance used in etching.

A glutinous size used as a ground for gilding, to make the gold leaf adhere.

(transitive) To subject to the action of, or imbue with, a mordant.

Biting; caustic; sarcastic; keen; severe.

Serving to fix colors.

Any corroding substance used in etching.

Any substance, as alum or copperas, which, having a twofold attraction for organic fibers and coloring matter, serves as a bond of union, and thus gives fixity to, or bites in, the dyes.

Any sticky matter by which the gold leaf is made to adhere.

To subject to the action of, or imbue with, a mordant; as, to mordant goods for dyeing.

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

Harshly ironic or sinister;