1590s, "sharp, poignant" (of pain or grief), from Latin pungentem (nominative pungens), present participle of pungere "to prick, pierce, sting," figuratively, "to vex, grieve, trouble, afflict," related to pugnus "fist" (see pugnacious). Meaning "having powerful odor or taste" first recorded 1660s. Literal sense "sharp, pointed" (c. 1600) is very rare in English, mostly limited to botany. Middle English and early Modern English also had a now-obsolete verb punge "to prick, pierce; to smart, cause to sting," from Latin pungere. Related: Pungently.
雙語例句
1. He enjoyed the play's shrewd and pungent social analysis.
他喜歡劇中尖銳機敏、一針見血的社會分析。
來自柯林斯例句
2. The taste is bitter and disagreeably pungent.
味道既苦又辣得嗆鼻。
來自柯林斯例句
3. the pungent smell of burning rubber
燒橡膠的刺鼻氣味
來自《權威詞典》
4. The pungent, choking smell of sulphur filled the air.