trenchant etymology

Etymology:

  • Old French: trenchant
  • Late Latin: trancantem (accusative of trancans)
  • Latin: trancare ("to cut across, bar, shut up")
  • Proto-Indo-European: *terh₁- ("to break")

Meaning:

  • Sharp or cutting
  • Keen or incisive (in thought or speech)

Origin:

The word "trenchant" originated from the Latin verb "trancare," which means "to cut across, bar, or shut up." It is related to the Proto-Indo-European root *terh₁-, which also gives rise to words like "thread" and "thorough."

In its original sense, "trenchant" referred to something that was physically sharp or cutting. Over time, it came to be used figuratively to describe things that were intellectually or verbally sharp or incisive.

Examples:

  • "The sword's trenchant blade cleaved through the flesh with ease."
  • "Her trenchant wit cut through the hypocrisy of the politician's speech."
  • "The novel's trenchant commentary on modern society was both insightful and unsettling."

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