poignant — poignant, ante [ pwaɲɑ̃, ɑ̃t ] adj. • XIIIe; « piquant » 1119; de poindre « piquer », avec infl. de empoigner, poigne ♦ Qui cause une impression très vive et pénible; qui serre, déchire le cœur. ⇒ déchirant. Une scène poignante. ⇒ bouleversant,… … Encyclopédie Universelle
poignant — poignant, ante (po gnan, gnan t ; quelques uns disent poi gnan) adj. 1° Qui point, qui pique. • Le hérisson a reçu de la nature la facilité de présenter de tous côtés des armes poignantes, BUFF. Morc. choisis, p. 195. 2° Fig. • Qui cause… … Dictionnaire de la Langue Française d'Émile Littré
poignant — [poin′yənt; ] Brit, also [ poin′ənt] adj. [ME poynant < MFr poignant, prp. of poindre < L pungere, to prick: see POINT] 1. a) sharp or pungent to the smell or, formerly, the taste b) keenly affecting the other senses [poignant beauty] 2 … English World dictionary
Poignant — Poign ant, a. [F., p. pr. of poindre to sting, fr. L. pungere to prick, sting. See {Pungent}.] 1. Pricking; piercing; sharp; pungent. His poignant spear. Spenser. Poynaunt sauce. Chaucer. [1913 Webster] 2. Fig.: Pointed; keen; satirical. [1913… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
poignant — (adj.) late 14c., painful to physical or mental feeling (of sauce, spice, wine as well as things that affect the feelings), from O.Fr. poignant (13c.), prp. of poindre to prick, sting, from L. pungere to prick (see PUNGENT (Cf. pungent)). Related … Etymology dictionary
poignant — [adj1] affecting, painful agitating, agonizing, bitter, distressing, disturbing, emotional, heartbreaking, heartrending, impressive, intense, moving, passionate, pathetic, perturbing, piteous, pitiful, sad, sentimental, sorrowful, touching,… … New thesaurus
poignant — index bitter (penetrating), moving (evoking emotion) Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 … Law dictionary
poignant — 1 *pungent, piquant, racy, spicy, snappy Analogous words: penetrating, piercing, probing (see ENTER): *sharp, keen, acute: *incisive, trenchant, cutting, biting, crisp Antonyms: dull (reaction, sensation) 2 * … New Dictionary of Synonyms
poignant — Poignant, [poign]ante. adj. Picquant. Il vieillit. Douleur poignante. une douleur vive & poignante … Dictionnaire de l'Académie française
poignant — ► ADJECTIVE ▪ evoking a keen sense of sadness or regret. DERIVATIVES poignancy noun poignantly adverb. ORIGIN from Old French poindre to prick , from Latin pungere … English terms dictionary
poignant — poignantly, adv. /poyn yeuhnt, poy neuhnt/, adj. 1. keenly distressing to the feelings: poignant regret. 2. keen or strong in mental appeal: a subject of poignant interest. 3. affecting or moving the emotions: a poignant scene. 4. pungent to the… … Universalium
