Category:Pungent

Pun"gent, a. Etym: [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.)

Defn: prickly-pointed; hard and sharp.

Syn. -- acrid; piercing; sharp; penetrating; acute; keen; acrimonious; Biting; stinging.