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Definition of pungency - 5 dictionary results

pun⋅gent

  [puhn-juhnt]
Use pungency in a Sentence
–adjective
1. sharply affecting the organs of taste or smell, as if by a penetrating power; biting; acrid.
2. acutely distressing to the feelings or mind; poignant.
3. caustic, biting, or sharply expressive: pungent remarks.
4. mentally stimulating or appealing: pungent wit.
5. Biology. piercing or sharp-pointed.
Origin:
1590–1600; < L pungent- (s. of pungēns), prp. of pungere to prick. See poignant, point, -ent

Related forms:
pun⋅gen⋅cy, noun
pun⋅gent⋅ly, adverb

Synonyms:
1. hot, peppery, piquant, sharp. 3. sarcastic, mordant, cutting; acrimonious, bitter. 4. keen, sharp.

Antonyms:
1. mild, bland. 3. soothing. 4. dull.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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pun·gent   (pŭn'jənt)   
adj.  

  1. Affecting the organs of taste or smell with a sharp acrid sensation.

    1. Penetrating, biting, or caustic: pungent satire.

    2. To the point; sharp: pungent talks during which the major issues were confronted.

  3. Pointed: a pungent leaf.


[Latin pungēns, pungent-, present participle of pungere, to sting; see peuk- in Indo-European roots.]
pun'gen·cy n., pun'gent·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

pungent 
1597, "sharp, poignant" (of pain or grief), from L. pungentem (nom. pungens), prp. of pungere "to prick, pierce, sting," related to pugnus "fist" (see pugnacious). Meaning "having powerful odor or taste" first recorded 1668. Lit. sense "sharp, pointed" (1601) is very rare in Eng., mostly limited to botany.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: pun·gen·cy
Pronunciation: 'p&n-j&n-sE
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural -cies
: the quality orstate of being pungent

Main Entry: pun·gent
Pronunciation: -j&nt
Function: adjective
: causing a sharp or irritating sensation; especially : ACRID —pun·gent·ly adverb
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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