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.