PUNGENT

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

---

Etymology

Adjective

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

---

Do you know this game?

Wordscapes is a popular word game consistently in the top charts of both Google Play Store and Apple App Store. The Android version has more than 10 million installs. This guide will help you get more coins in less than two minutes of playing the game. Continue reading Wordscapes: Get More Coins