Word of the Day

: April 16, 2012

piquant

adjective PEE-kunt

What It Means

1 : agreeably stimulating to the palate; especially : spicy

2 : engagingly provocative; also : having a lively arch charm

piquant in Context

Reggie's piquant commentary always makes for interesting listening, though sometimes his remarks can go too far.

"Our main courses were preceded by green salads, which were bright and crisp with a suitably piquant balsamic vinegar dressing."- From a review by Irv Dean in The Daily Gazette, February 19, 2012

Did You Know?

Piquant flavors "sting" the tongue and piquant words "prick" the intellect, arousing interest. These varying senses reflect the etymology of the word "piquant," which first appeared in English in the 17th century and which derives from the Middle French verb "piquer," meaning "to sting" or "to prick." Though first used to describe foods with spicy flavors, the word is now often used to describe things that are spicy in other ways, such as engaging conversation. Have we piqued your curiosity about another "piquer" offspring? If you’ve already guessed that the verb "pique," meaning "to offend" or "to arouse by provocation," comes from "piquer," too, you’ve got a sharp mind.