Lexic.us

Definition of Poignant

1. Adjective. Arousing affect. "His gratitude was simple and touching"

2. Adjective. Keenly distressing to the mind or feelings. "Poignant anxiety"

Definition of Poignant

1. a. Pricking; piercing; sharp; pungent.

Definition of Poignant

1. Adjective. (obsolete of a weapon etc) Sharp-pointed; keen. ¹

2. Adjective. Incisive; penetrating. ¹

3. Adjective. neat; eloquent; applicable; relevant. ¹

4. Adjective. Evoking strong mental sensation, to the point of distress; emotionally moving. ¹

5. Adjective. (figuratively of a taste or smell) Piquant, pungent. ¹

6. Adjective. (figuratively of a look, or of words) Piercing. ¹

7. Adjective. (dated mostly British) Inducing sharp physical pain. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Poignant

1. emotionally distressing [adj]

Lexicographical Neighbors of Poignant

pogues pogy pohagen pohickory poi poieses poiesis poietic poietin poignado

poignance poignances poignancies poignancy poignant (current term) poignantly poignard poignards poikilitic poikilo-

poikiloblast poikiloblastic poikilocarynoses poikilocarynosis poikilocyte poikilocytes poikilocythemia poikilocytosis poikilodentosis

Literary usage of Poignant

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The Life and Theatrical Times of Charles Kean, F.S.A. by Fanny Kemble, Kate Field, John William Cole (1882)
"with poignant compassion and regret. Poor, fair, admired, despised, flattered, forlorn souls! . . . Pray come and see us when you can, and Believe me very ..."

2. Library of the World's Best Literature, Ancient and Modern by Charles Dudley Warner, Hamilton Wright Mabie, Lucia Isabella Gilbert Runkle, George H Warner (1902)
"Especially does the poetry come out in the beautiful descriptions of nature, which are a relief to the poignant pathos of some of the human scenes. ..."

3. Handy-book of Literary Curiosities by William Shepard Walsh (1892)
"... (as tears spontaneous flow) Ün all the poignant luxury of woe. What may have been the prototype of all is to be found probably in Ovid's Est ..."

4. The Miscellaneous Works of the Right Honourable Sir James Mackintosh: Three by James Mackintosh (1848)
"... grateful to those who may point out his error, and deliver him from the poignant regret of adopting opinions which lead to consequences so pernicious. ..."

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