poignant etymology

Etymology:

  • Middle English: poynaunt, from Old French poignant, meaning "pricking, sharp, poignant"
  • Ultimately derived from Latin pungere, meaning "to prick, sting"

Meaning:

  • Having or capable of causing a sharp or piercing sensation, either physically or emotionally
  • Sharply or deeply felt or expressed
  • Affecting the mind or emotions powerfully
  • Intensely moving or evocative

Origin:

The word "poignant" stems from the Latin verb "pungere," which means "to prick" or "sting." This etymology suggests that the word's original meaning referred to a physical sensation of sharpness or piercing. Over time, the meaning of "poignant" evolved to encompass emotional experiences that evoke a similar sense of sharpness or intensity.

Usage:

"Poignant" is often used to describe:

  • Emotional moments or experiences that elicit strong feelings
  • Artistic works (e.g., music, literature) that have a deeply affecting impact
  • Situations or memories that bring about a bittersweet or nostalgic longing
  • Sharp pains or physical sensations

poignant relate terms

  • poignance

    Etymology from Middle French poignant sharp stinging from Latin pungens pricking

  • poignant

    Etymology Middle English poynaunt from Old French poignant meaning pricking sharp

  • poignancy

    Etymology Old French poignant sharp Latin pungere to prick sting Meaning

  • poignant

    Etymology Middle English poynaunt from Old French poignant meaning pricking sharp

  • appoint

    Etymology Middle English apointen from Anglo Norman French apointer from Latin appu

  • appointment

    Etymology The word appointment comes from the Old French word apointement which mea

  • bung

    Etymology The word bung has several possible etymological origins Middle English

  • compunction

    Etymology Latin compunctio Old French componction Middle English compuncioun Meanin

  • contrapuntal

    Etymology Contrapuntal is derived from the Italian term contrappunto which means po

  • expugn

    Etymology Latin expugnare meaning to conquer by force From ex out pugnare

  • expunge

    Etymology Latin expungere to strike out cancel erase From ex out from pungere

  • impugn

    Etymology Latin impugnare to attack assail Latin in in against pugnare t

  • interpunction

    Etymology Derived from Latin inter between among punctus point Meaning

  • oppugn

    Etymology Latin oppugnare to fight against attack From ob against pugnare

  • pink

    Etymology The word pink comes from the Middle English word pinke which in turn deri

  • poignant

    Etymology Middle English poynaunt from Old French poignant meaning pricking sharp

  • point

    Etymology The word point comes from the Latin word punctum which means a prick a d

  • pointe

    Etymology French pointe meaning point Meaning A sharp narrow end or extremit

  • pointillism

    Etymology French pointillisme Derived from pointiller meaning to stipple or to ma

  • poniard

    Etymology The word poniard comes from the Old French word poignard which in turn is

  • pounce

    Etymology pounce v Middle English from Old French poncer puncer from Latin pungere

  • pugilism

    Etymology Latin pugil boxer Greek pux fist Meaning The sport of fighting

  • pugilist

    Etymology The word pugilist originates from the Latin word pugil meaning a boxer

  • pugnacious

    Pugnacious Etymology From Latin pugnāx pugnacious from pugnāre to fight Ult

  • pugnacity

    Etymology Pugnacity comes from the Latin word pugnare which means to fight Mean

  • Punch

    Etymology The word punch has several origins Old Irish bun a drink Anglo India

  • Punch

    Etymology The word punch has several origins Old Irish bun a drink Anglo India

  • Punch

    Etymology The word punch has several origins Old Irish bun a drink Anglo India

  • puncheon

    Etymology The word puncheon is derived from the Latin word punctio meaning a punctu

  • punctilio

    Punctilio Etymology The word punctilio comes from the Latin word punctum which mean

  • punctilious

    Etymology The word punctilious derives from Latin punctum meaning point French

  • punctual

    Etymology The word punctual derives from the Latin word punctum meaning point M

  • punctuate

    Etymology punctuate verb Middle English from Medieval Latin punctuat from Latin p

  • punctuation

    Etymology The word punctuation originates from the Latin verb pungere which means t

  • puncture

    Etymology The word puncture is derived from the Latin word pungere which means to

  • pungent

    Etymology The word pungent comes from the Latin word pungens meaning piercing or

  • punty

    Etymology Middle English puncte from Old French poincte Latin punctum meaning poi

  • pygmy

    Etymology The word pygmy derives from the Ancient Greek word πυγμαῖος pygma

  • repugn

    Etymology From Latin repugnare meaning to resist fight against oppose Ultimatel

  • repugnance

    Etymology Late Middle English from Old French repugnance from Latin repugnantia from

  • repugnant

    Etymology Latin repugnare to fight against from repugnans present participle of re

  • pungent

    Etymology The word pungent comes from the Latin word pungens meaning piercing or

  • grave

    Etymology The word grave has its roots in the Latin word gravis which means heavy

  • tolerance

    Etymology Latin tolerantia endurance patience Stems from the verb tolerare to be

  • abolish

    Etymology The word abolish comes from the Old French word aboliss or abolir which

  • adaptation

    Etymology From Latin adaptatio From adaptare meaning to fit Meaning The act

  • Mercury

    Etymology Latin Mercurius Greek Ἑρμῆς Hermēs Meaning Messenger or g

  • dodge

    Etymology The word dodge has its origins in the Middle English word doggen meaning

  • bruise

    Etymology The word bruise comes from the Old French word bruisier meaning to crush or