The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
piquant — piquant, ante (pi kan, kan t ) adj. 1° Qui pique. Les orties sont piquantes. • Il n y a personne qui ne connaisse quelque douleur d estomac ; celle que vous sentez est plus piquante et plus pesante, SÉV. 24 janv. 1680. • Je ne puis croire… … Dictionnaire de la Langue Française d'Émile Littré
piquant — 1520s, from M.Fr. piquant pricking, stimulating, irritating, from O.Fr. prp. of piquer to prick, sting, nettle (see PIKE (Cf. pike) (2)). Related: Piquancy … Etymology dictionary
Piquant — (v. fr., spr. Pikang), 1) stechend, scharf, beißend; 2) anzüglich, stark, reizend, in körperlicher wie geistiger Beziehung. Piquiren, reizen; sich piquiren, auf Etwas erpicht sein. Piquirt, gereizt, empfindlich etc … Pierer's Universal-Lexikon
piquant — index hot blooded, incisive, moving (evoking emotion), palatable, provocative, sapid, savory Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Bur … Law dictionary
piquant — *pungent, poignant, racy, spicy, snappy Analogous words: incisive, trenchant, cutting, biting, clear cut Antonyms: bland Contrasted words: insipid, flat, banal, jejune, inane … New Dictionary of Synonyms
piquant — meaning ‘agreeably pungent’ or ‘pleasantly stimulating’, is pronounced pee kǝnt … Modern English usage
piquant — [adj] flavorful, biting highly seasoned, interesting, lively, peppery, poignant, provocative, pungent, racy, savory, sharp, snappy, sparkling, spicy, spirited, stimulating, stinging, tangy, tart, well flavored, with a kick*, zestful, zesty;… … New thesaurus
piquant — ► ADJECTIVE 1) having a pleasantly sharp taste or appetizing flavour. 2) pleasantly stimulating or exciting. DERIVATIVES piquancy noun piquantly adverb. ORIGIN French, stinging, pricking … English terms dictionary
piquant — [pē′kənt, pē′känt, pē′kwənt] adj. [Fr, prp. of piquer, to prick, sting: see PIKE2] 1. agreeably pungent or stimulating to the taste; pleasantly sharp or biting 2. exciting agreeable interest or curiosity; stimulating; provocative 3. Archaic… … English World dictionary
piquant — 1. piquant, ante [ pikɑ̃, ɑ̃t ] adj. • 1398; de piquer 1 ♦ Qui présente une ou plusieurs pointes acérées capables de piquer, de percer. ⇒ pointu. Les feuilles piquantes du houx. L eau « est trop froide, [...] les cailloux piquants » (Duhamel). 2… … Encyclopédie Universelle
