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American Dictionary of the English Language

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Pungency


PUN'GENCY, noun [Latin pungens, pungo, to prick.]

1. The power of pricking or piercing; as the pungency of a substance.

2. That quality of a substance which produces the sensation of pricking, or affecting the taste like minute sharp points; sharpness; acridness.

3. Power to pierce the mind or excite keen reflections or remorse; as the pungency of a discourse.

4. Acrimoniousness; keenness; as the pungency of wit or of expressions.