Where does “poignant” come from?
Poignant derives from Middle English poynant, from Old French poindre, from Latin pungere meaning "to prick or sting," ultimately from Proto-Indo-European pewḱ-.
poignant (English): Of a weapon, etc.: sharp-pointed; keen; Neat;...
Definitions
- Of a weapon, etc.: sharp-pointed; keen; Neat;...
Ancestry of “poignant”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle English | poynaunt | Sour or acidic to the taste; Stabbing; having a... |
| 2 | Old French | poindre | to puncture; to pierce; to sting; to prick;... |
| 3 | Latin | pungere | second-person singular future passive indicative... |
| 4 | Proto-Italic | pungō | to prick, to sting |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | pewǵ- | to punch, fist-fight; to prick, poke, stab |