barbed, biting, nipping, pungent, mordacious
(adjective) capable of wounding; “a barbed compliment”; “a biting aphorism”; “pungent satire”
pungent, acrid
(adjective) strong and sharp; “the pungent taste of radishes”; “the acrid smell of burning rubber”
Source: WordNet® 3.1
pungent (comparative more pungent, superlative most pungent)
Having a strong odor that stings the nose, said especially of acidic or spicy substances.
Having a strong taste that stings the tongue, said especially of hot (spicy) food, which has a strong and sharp or bitter taste.
(figurative) Stinging; acerbic.
(botany) Having a sharp and stiff point.
Source: Wiktionary
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.)
Definition: Prickly-pointed; hard and sharp.
Syn.
– Acrid; piercing; sharp; penetrating; acute; keen; acrimonious; biting; stinging.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
27 November 2024
(adjective) causing or able to cause nausea; “a nauseating smell”; “nauseous offal”; “a sickening stench”
The first coffee-house in Mecca dates back to the 1510s. The beverage was in Turkey by the 1530s. It appeared in Europe circa 1515-1519 and was introduced to England by 1650. By 1675 the country had more than 3,000 coffee houses, and coffee had replaced beer as a breakfast drink.
