Pŭn'gent, a.
a. [Lat. pungens, p. pr. of pungere, to prick; It. pungente, pugnente, Sp. pungente, Pr. ponhen, poingnen, Fr. poignant. See POIGNANT.]
Sense 1. Pricking; piercing; as, (a.) Acrid; biting;—said with reference to taste. “Pungent radish biting infant’s tongue.” Shenstone. (b.) Stimulating; pricking;—said with reference to the sense of smell. “The pungent grains of titillating dust.” Pope. (c.) Sharply painful; acute;—said of pains, sensations, and the like. “With pungent pains on every side.” Swift.
Sense 2. Exquisitely painful to the feelings; severe; sharp, curt, and expressive;—said of discourse. “A sharp and pungent manner of speech.” Dryden.
Sense 3. (Bot.) Prickly-pointed; hard and sharp-pointed.
Synonyms—Acrid; piercing; sharp; penetrating; acute; keen; acrimonious; biting; stinging.