pungently
UK[ˈpʌndʒəntli]US[ˈpʌndʒəntli]
adv
in a way that has a sharply strong taste or smell
adv
in a way that is strongly and sharply felt, especially in a critical or stimulating manner
Morpheme Breakdown
pung
ent
ly
pung
to prick, to sting
ent
adjective suffix
ly
adverb suffix
Etymology
the adverb 'pungently' is built upon the adjective 'pungent', which originates from the latin verb pungere, meaning 'to prick' or 'to sting'. this verb is traced back to the proto-indo-european root peuk-, also meaning 'to prick'. the latin present participle pungens (stem pungent-) gave rise to the english adjective suffix '-ent', denoting a quality. the literal sense of causing a sharp, pricking sensation evolved metaphorically to describe anything sharply perceptible, whether a taste, smell, or a penetrating remark. the addition of the english adverbial suffix '-ly' transforms the adjective into a word describing the manner in which this sharp, penetrating quality is manifested.
Analysis
Structure: pung (to prick, to sting) + ent (adjective suffix) + ly (adverb suffix)
pung (from latin pungere, meaning 'to prick, to sting'), ent (a latin-derived suffix forming adjectives, meaning 'being in a state or condition'), ly (an english adverbial suffix meaning 'in a manner of').
Examples
the cheese was pungently aromatic, filling the entire room.
he criticized the policy pungently, leaving no room for misunderstanding.
the air was pungently spicy from the freshly ground peppers.