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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; < Latin pungent- (stem of pungēns), present participle of pungere to prick. See poignant, point, -ent
1590–1600; < Latin pungent- (stem of pungēns), present participle of pungere to prick. See poignant, point, -ent
Related forms
pun·gen·cy, noun
pun·gent·ly, adverb
non·pun·gen·cy, noun
non·pun·gent, adjective
non·pun·gent·ly, adverb
Synonyms
1. hot, peppery, piquant, sharp. 3. sarcastic, mordant, cutting; acrimonious, bitter. 4. keen, sharp.
1. hot, peppery, piquant, sharp. 3. sarcastic, mordant, cutting; acrimonious, bitter. 4. keen, sharp.
Antonyms
1. mild, bland. 3. soothing. 4. dull.
1. mild, bland. 3. soothing. 4. dull.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source
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Pungent
is a GRE word you need to know.
So is opprobrium. Does it mean:
| object |
| reproach mingled with contempt |
Collins
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
pungent
1590s, "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 1660s. Literal sense "sharp, pointed" (c.1600) is
EXPANDvery rare in English, mostly limited to botany.
COLLAPSE
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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