poynaunt

Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word poynaunt. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word poynaunt, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say poynaunt in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word poynaunt you have here. The definition of the word poynaunt will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition ofpoynaunt, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.

Middle English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From Anglo-Norman puignant; equivalent to poynen +‎ -ant.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /pui̯ˈnau̯nt/, /pui̯ˈnant/, /ˈpui̯nau̯nt/, /ˈpui̯nant/

Adjective

poynaunt

  1. Sour or acidic to the taste.
    • c. 1400, Geoffrey Chaucer, “General Prologue”, in The Canterbury Tales, lines 353–354:
      Wo was his cook, but if his ſauce were / Poynaunt and ſhaꝛp, and redy al his geere.
      Woe to his cook, except if his sauce was / sour and sharp, and all his equipment was ready.
  2. Stabbing; having a sharp, spiky point.
  3. Causing fright; upsetting, horrifying.

Descendants

  • English: poignant

References