σαρδάνιος σαρδάνιος, α, ον σαίρω used of bitter or scornful laughter, σαρδάνιον γελᾶν (sc. γέλωτα) ; μείδησε σαρδάνιον he laughed a bitter laugh, Od.; so, ἀνεκάγχασε σαρδάνιον Plat.; ridere γέλωτα σαρδάνιον Cic.—Others write Σαρδόνιον, deriving it from Σαρδώ, because such laughter resembled the effect produced by a Sardinian plant, which screwed up the face of the eater, Plut.: (hence our form sardonic).