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Definition of pungent - 5 dictionary results

pun⋅gent

  [puhn-juhnt]
Use pungent 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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Pungent

Pun"gent\, a. [L. pungens, -entis, p. pr. of pungere, punctum, to prick. Cf. Compunction, Expunge, Poignant, Point, n., Puncheon, Punctilio, Punt, v. t.]

1. Causing a sharp sensation, as of the taste, smell, or feelings; pricking; biting; acrid; as, a pungent spice.

Pungent radish biting infant's tongue. --Shenstone.

The pungent grains of titillating dust. --Pope.

2. Sharply painful; penetrating; poignant; severe; caustic; stinging.

With pungent pains on every side. --Swift.

His pungent pen played its part in rousing the nation. --J. R. Green.

3. (Bot.) Prickly-pointed; hard and sharp.

Syn: Acrid; piercing; sharp; penetrating; acute; keen; acrimonious; biting; stinging.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : pungent
Spanish: acre; penetrante; picante; mordaz,
German: scharf,
Japanese: ぴりっとする
More Translations »

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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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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