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.
双语例句
1. He enjoyed the play's shrewd and pungent social analysis.
他喜欢剧中尖锐机敏、一针见血的社会分析。
来自柯林斯例句
2. The taste is bitter and disagreeably pungent.
味道既苦又辣得呛鼻。
来自柯林斯例句
3. the pungent smell of burning rubber
烧橡胶的刺鼻气味
来自《权威词典》
4. The pungent, choking smell of sulphur filled the air.
