pungent

Where does the word "pungent" come from? It comes from Latin pungere, passing through Latin before entering English (1500s).

Pungent’s story begins in Latin: pungere meant “to prick, to pierce.” The root of 'point', 'punctual' and 'puncture'. Within Latin, it grew into pungens by ancient. Pricking, stinging, present participle of pungere. It reached English by 1500s as pungent. Settled as the English word for a sharp, strong smell or taste. Today, pungent means having a sharply strong smell or taste.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient pungere "to prick, to pierce", the root of 'point', 'punctual' and 'puncture'.
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient pungens "pricking, stinging", pricking, stinging, present participle of pungere.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1500s pungent "having a sharp, strong smell or taste", settled as the English word for a sharp, strong smell or taste.