poignance

poign·ant  (poinynt)

adj.

1.

a. Physically painful: "Keen, poignant agonies seemed to shoot from his neck downward" Ambrose Bierce.

b. Keenly distressing to the mind or feelings: poignant anxiety.

c. Profoundly moving; touching: a poignant memory. See Synonyms at moving.

2. Piercing; incisive: poignant criticism.

3.

a. Neat, skillful, and to the point: poignant illustrations supplementing the text.

b. Astute and pertinent; relevant: poignant suggestions.

4. Agreeably intense or stimulating: poignant delight.

5. Archaic

a. Sharp or sour to the taste; piquant.

b. Sharp or pungent to the smell.

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[Middle English poinaunt, from Old French poignant, present participle of poindre, to prick, from Latin pungere; see peuk- in Indo-European roots.]

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poignance, poignan·cy n.

poignant·ly adv.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

poignance - a state of deeply felt distress or sorrow; "a moment of extraordinary poignancy" poignancy sorrowfulness, sadness, sorrow - the state of being sad; "she tired of his perpetual sadness"