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Definition of Piquant - 3 dictionary results

pi⋅quant

  [pee-kuhnt, -kahnt, pee-kahnt]
Use Piquant in a Sentence
–adjective
1. agreeably pungent or sharp in taste or flavor; pleasantly biting or tart: a piquant aspic.
2. agreeably stimulating, interesting, or attractive: a piquant glance.
3. of an interestingly provocative or lively character: a piquant wit.
4. Archaic. sharp or stinging, esp. to the feelings.
Origin:
1515–25; < F: lit., pricking (see pique 1 , -ant ); r. pickante < It piccante

Related forms:
pi⋅quan⋅cy, pi⋅quant⋅ness, noun
pi⋅quant⋅ly, adverb

Synonyms:
1. spicy. 2. intriguing. 3. sharp, clever.

Antonyms:
1. insipid.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To Piquant
pi·quant   (pē'kənt, -känt', pē-känt')   
adj.  

  1. Pleasantly pungent or tart in taste; spicy.

    1. Appealingly provocative: a piquant wit.

    2. Charming, interesting, or attractive: a piquant face.

  3. Archaic Causing hurt feelings; stinging.


[French, from Old French, present participle of piquer, to prick; see pique.]
pi'quan·cy, pi'quant·ness n., pi'quant·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

piquant 
1521, from M.Fr. piquant "pricking, stimulating, irritating," from O.Fr. prp. of piquer "to prick, sting, nettle" (see pike (2)).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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