Both Uses of
pungent
in
The War of the Worlds
- And the touch of that vapour, the inhaling of its pungent wisps, was death to all that breathes.†
Chpt 1.15 *
- It was like riding into the smoke of a fire to approach the meeting point of the lane and road; the crowd roared like a fire, and the dust was hot and pungent.†
Chpt 1.16
Definition:
-
(pungent) strong smelling or tasting
or much more rarely: anything sharp, painful, or penetrating -- physically or emotionallyeditor's notes: In reference to taste or smell, pungent is more often associated with a strong flavor than a particular flavor. Some associate it with a high level of volatile acidity. Some wine connoisseurs interchange the word pungent with earthy.