Pungent
Pungent
Pungent (/ˈpʌndʒənt/) is a term used in medical and scientific contexts to describe a sharp, strong, or intense taste or smell. The word originates from the Latin pungere, meaning "to prick" or "to sting".
Definition
In the medical field, pungent is often used to describe the intense, sharp, or spicy taste or smell of certain substances or medications. It can also refer to the sensation that some substances, such as chili peppers or certain types of medicine, can cause in the mouth or nose.
Related Terms
- Olfaction: The sense of smell.
- Gustation: The sense of taste.
- Irritant: A substance that causes slight inflammation or other discomfort to the body.
- Capsaicin: A chemical compound that gives chili peppers their pungent taste.
- Allyl isothiocyanate: A compound that gives mustard, radishes, and wasabi their pungent taste.
Etymology
The term pungent comes from the Latin word pungere, which means "to prick" or "to sting". This is likely a reference to the sharp or stinging sensation that pungent substances can cause.
Pronunciation
The word pungent is pronounced as /ˈpʌndʒənt/.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Pungent
- Wikipedia's article - Pungent
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