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piquant

   Also found in: Encyclopedia, Wikipedia 0.01 sec.
pi·quant  (pknt, -känt, p-känt)
adj.
1. Pleasantly pungent or tart in taste; spicy.
2.
a. Appealingly provocative: a piquant wit.
b. Charming, interesting, or attractive: a piquant face.
3. Archaic Causing hurt feelings; stinging.

[French, from Old French, present participle of piquer, to prick; see pique.]

piquan·cy, piquant·ness n.
piquant·ly adv.

piquant [pee-kant]
Adjective
1. having a spicy taste
2. stimulating to the mind: love was a forbidden piquant secret [French, literally: prickling]
piquancy n
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Adj.1.piquantpiquant - having an agreeably pungent taste
tasty - pleasing to the sense of taste; "a tasty morsel"
2.piquant - engagingly stimulating or provocative; "a piquant wit"; "salty language"
stimulating - rousing or quickening activity or the senses; "a stimulating discussion"
3.piquant - attracting or delighting; "an engaging frankness"; "a piquant face with large appealing eyes"
attractive - pleasing to the eye or mind especially through beauty or charm; "a remarkably attractive young man"; "an attractive personality"; "attractive clothes"; "a book with attractive illustrations"

piquant
adjective 1. spicy, biting, sharp, stinging, tart, savoury, pungent, tangy, highly-seasoned, peppery, zesty, with a kick (informal) acerb << OPPOSITE mild
Translations
Spanish piquant [ˈpiːkənt] adjpicante
French piquant [ˈpiːkənt] adjpiquant(e)
German piquant [ˈpiːkənt] adj (also fig) → pikant
Italian piquant [ˈpiːkənt] adj [sauce] → piccante; [conversation] → stimolante

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Yet there be some, that think their wits have been asleep, except they dart out somewhat that is piquant, and to the quick.
On his way home from his dull call, he would perhaps meet Tony and Lena, coming along the sidewalk whispering to each other, or the three Bohemian Marys in their long plush coats and caps, comporting themselves with a dignity that only made their eventful histories the more piquant.
She had a round, sly, piquant face and pretty black eyes.
 
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