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.
© Webster 1913.