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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.

Definition 2024


pungent

pungent

English

Adjective

pungent (comparative more pungent, superlative most pungent)

  1. Having a strong odor that stings the nose, said especially of acidic or spicy substances.
    I accidentally dropped the bottle of ammonia and after few seconds, a very pungent stench could be detected.
    • 1991, Paul Chadwick, Concrete: American Christmas, Dark Horse Books
      I can almost smell the fir scent… resinous, pungent.
  2. Having a strong taste that stings the tongue, said especially of hot (spicy) food, which has a strong and sharp or bitter taste.
  3. (figuratively) Stinging; acerbic.
    The critic gave a pungent review.
  4. (botany) Having a sharp and stiff point.

Derived terms

Translations


Latin

Verb

pungent

  1. third-person plural future active indicative of pungō