POIGNANT

affecting, poignant, touching

(adjective) arousing affect; “the homecoming of the released hostages was an affecting scene”; “poignant grief cannot endure forever”; “his gratitude was simple and touching”

poignant

(adjective) keenly distressing to the mind or feelings; “poignant anxiety”

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Adjective

poignant (comparative more poignant, superlative most poignant)

(obsolete) Of a weapon, etc.: sharp-pointed; keen.

Neat; eloquent; applicable; relevant.

Evoking strong mental sensation, to the point of distress; emotionally moving.

Synonyms: distressing, moving

(figuratively) Of a smell or taste: piquant, pungent.

(figuratively) Of a look, or of words: incisive; penetrating; piercing.

(chiefly, Britain, dated) Inducing sharp physical pain.

Anagrams

• Paignton

Source: Wiktionary


Poign"ant, a. Etym: [F., p. pr. of poindre to sting, fr. L. pungere to prick, sting. See Pungent.]

1. Pricking; piercing; sharp; pungent. "His poignant spear." Spenser. "Poynaunt sauce." Chaucer.

2. Fig.: Pointed; keen; satirical. His wit . . . became more lively and poignant. Sir W. Scott.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



RESET




Word of the Day

9 June 2025

HERMAPHRODITE

(noun) one having both male and female sexual characteristics and organs; at birth an unambiguous assignment of male or female cannot be made


coffee icon

Coffee Trivia

In the 16th century, Turkish women could divorce their husbands if the man failed to keep his family’s pot filled with coffee.

coffee icon