Both Uses of
pungent
in
Summer Pleasures, by Nora Roberts
- Dripping, her chilled skin covered with gooseflesh, she stood in the middle of the stall and swore silently and pungently.†
Chpt 1.6 *
- Scents...flowers, flesh...sweet and pungent.†
Chpt 2.7
Definition:
strong smelling or tasting
or much more rarely: anything sharp, painful, or penetrating -- physically or emotionally
or much more rarely: anything sharp, painful, or penetrating -- physically or emotionally
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.