Word of the Day : June 11, 2021

poignant \POY-nyunt\ adjective

Definition

1 a : painfully affecting the feelings : piercing

b : deeply affecting : touching

c : designed to make an impression : cutting

2 a : pleasurably stimulating

b : being to the point : apt

3 : pungently pervasive

Did You Know?

Poignant comes to English from French, and before that from Latin—specifically, the Latin verb pungere, meaning "to prick or sting." Several other common English words derive from pungere, including pungent, which can refer to, among other things, a sharp odor. The influence of pungere can also be seen in puncture, as well as punctual, which originally meant simply "of or relating to a point." Even compunction and expunge come from this pointedly relevant Latin word.

Aired June 11, 2021

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