pung

n. [ See Pungent. ] Pungency. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The quality or state of being pungent or piercing; keenness; sharpness; piquancy; as, the pungency of ammonia. “The pungency of menaces.” Hammond. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Pungent radish biting infant's tongue. Shenstone. [ 1913 Webster ]

The pungent grains of titillating dust. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Sharply painful; penetrating; poignant; severe; caustic; stinging. [ 1913 Webster ]

With pungent pains on every side. Swift. [ 1913 Webster ]

His pungent pen played its part in rousing the nation. J. R. Green. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Bot.) Prickly-pointed; hard and sharp. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Acrid; piercing; sharp; penetrating; acute; keen; acrimonious; biting; stinging. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a pungent manner; sharply. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Etymol. uncertain. ] Shriveled or shrunken; -- said especially of grain which has lost its juices from the ravages of insects, such as the wheat midge, or Trips (Thrips cerealium). [ 1913 Webster ]