poignancy etymology

Etymology:

  • Old French: poignant ("sharp")
  • Latin: pungere ("to prick, sting")

Meaning:

  • Sharply or deeply moving
  • Emotionally intense
  • Painful or distressing

Origin:

The word "poignant" originates from the Latin verb "pungere," which means "to prick" or "sting." It initially referred to a physical sensation of sharpness or pain. Over time, the term's meaning expanded to encompass emotional pain or distress.

In the 14th century, "poignant" began to be used in a metaphorical sense to describe something that was sharply affecting, particularly in a painful or distressing way. By the 16th century, it had come to refer to a type of emotional intensity that was both painful and moving.

The word "poignant" continues to be used in both its literal and metaphorical senses. It can describe a physical sensation, such as a sharp sting, or an emotional experience, such as a deeply felt loss or sorrow.

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