Definition: pungent

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Source: WordNet (r) 1.7 

pungent
     adj 1: sharp biting or acrid especially in taste or smell; "tasting
            the pungent wood sorrel"; "pungent curry"; "a pungent
            smell of burning sulfur" [ant: bland]
     2: capable of wounding; "a barbed compliment"; "a biting
        aphorism"; "pungent satire" [syn: barbed, biting, nipping,
         mordacious]

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) 

Pungent \Pun"gent\, a. [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.) Prickly-pointed; hard and sharp.

   Syn: Acrid; piercing; sharp; penetrating; acute; keen;
        acrimonious; biting; stinging.