piquancy etymology

Etymology:

• Middle English: pikance, from Anglo-Norman French picance, from Old French picance, from Latin picāns, present participle of picāre "to sting, prick, pierce."

Meaning and Origin:

"Piquancy" originally referred to the sharp, stinging taste or smell of something spicy or pungent. The term derives from the Latin verb "picare," which means "to sting" or "pierce."

In medieval Latin, "picantia" was used to describe a spicy dish or sauce that added a sharp or stimulating flavor to food. Over time, the meaning of "piquancy" expanded to include any quality that stimulates the senses or adds interest or excitement to something.

Today, "piquancy" is used in a variety of contexts to describe something that is:

• Sharp, spicy, or pungent in taste or smell
• Stimulating or exciting to the senses
• Adds interest or zest to something
• Amusing or clever in a slightly provocative way

piquancy relate terms

• piquant

  Etymology French piquant Latin picāre to prick sting pierce Proto Indo European ro

• pike

  Etymology Pike is derived from the Middle English word pike which is in turn derived

• tang

  Etymology The word tang has several possible origins Old Norse tangr meaning p

• saucy

  Etymology Late 16th century from sauce y y1 suffix forming adjectives from nouns

• sauce

  Etymology of Sauce The word sauce originates from the Old French word sauce which

• toast

  Etymology The word toast has several possible etymologies Latin tostum meaning

• salt

  Etymology Old English sealt Proto Germanic saltaz Proto Indo European sal salty

• gnat

  Etymology The word gnat comes from the Old English word gnæt which is thought to be

• spice

  Etymology The word spice comes from the Old French word espice which in turn comes f

• quality

  Etymology The word quality derives from the Latin word qualitas which means nature