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Webster 1913 Edition

Pungent

Pun′gent

,
Adj.
[L.
pungens
,
-entis
, p. pr. of
pungere
,
punctum
, to prick. Cf.
Compunction
,
Expunge
,
Poignant
,
Point
,
Noun.
,
Puncheon
,
Punctilio
,
Punt
,
Verb.
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 1828 Edition

Pungent

PUN'GENT

,
Adj.
[L. pungens,pungo.] Pricking; stimulating; as pungent snuff.
The pungent grains of titillating dust.
1.
Acrid; affecting the tongue like small sharp points; as the sharp and pungent taste of acids.
2.
Piercing; sharp; as pungent pains; pungent grief.
3.
Acrimonious; biting.

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