DictionaryRoot: -ent-
Latin
-ent-
doing or being something
Forms
- -ent-
- -ens — The Latin form used when no longer ending followed.
Origin
The longer form of Latin -ens, continuing an older action-describing -nt- ending.
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adjective
pungent
PUHN-juhnt/ˈpʌndʒənt/
Strikingly sharp in taste or smell.
Etymology
A pungent smell or taste figuratively pricks or stings the senses. English first used the word for piercing pain or grief, then extended that sharpness to smell and taste.