What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Poignant vs Biting - What's the difference?

poignant | biting | Related terms |

Poignant is a related term of biting.


As adjectives the difference between poignant and biting

is that poignant is (obsolete|of a weapon etc) sharp-pointed; keen while biting is causing a stinging sensation.

As a verb biting is

.

As a noun biting is

the action of the verb to bite .

poignant

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • (obsolete, of a weapon etc) Sharp-pointed; keen.
  • * 1590 , Edmund Spenser, The Faerie Queene , VII:
    • His siluer shield, now idle maisterlesse; / His poynant speare, that many made to bleed [...].
  • Incisive; penetrating.
    • His comments were poignant and witty.
  • neat; eloquent; applicable; relevant.
    • A poignant reply will garner more credence than hours of blown smoke.
  • Evoking strong mental sensation, to the point of distress; emotionally moving.
    • Flipping through his high school yearbook evoked many a poignant memory of yesteryear.
  • (figuratively, of a taste or smell) Piquant, pungent.
  • Piercing.
  • (dated, mostly British) Inducing sharp physical pain.

    • Synonyms

    * (evoking strong mental sensation) distressing, moving

    Related terms

    * poignancy

    References

    * OED 2nd edition 1989 * Webster Third New International 1986 ----

    biting

    English

    Verb

    (head)

    • Noun

    (en noun)
  • The action of the verb to bite .
  • An occurrence of a bite.

    • Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Causing a stinging sensation.
    • a biting wind
  • Cutting or incisive.
    • a biting criticism
  • Tending to bite.
    • a biting insect

    Derived terms

    * bitingly ----