Bitingly
/ˈbaɪtɪŋli/noun
In a sharp, severe, or sarcastic way.
Did you know?The core verb behind this word goes all the way back to a Proto-Indo-European root meaning “to bite,” so the insult in “bitingly sarcastic” is literally built from an ancient image of teeth sinking in.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*bheid-
“to split, cleave, or bite”
Old English
English
bītan
“to bite”
Old English
English
bītende
“biting; sharp; causing pain”
Middle English
English
biting
“sharp, cutting, or caustic”
Modern English
English
bitingly
“in a sharp, severe, or sarcastic manner”