Part 665

Punc`tu*ra"tion (?), n. The act or process of puncturing. See Acupuncture.

Punc"ture (?), n. [L. punctura, fr. pungere, punctum, to prick. See Pungent.] 1. The act of puncturing; perforating with something pointed.

2. A small hole made by a point; a slight wound, bite, or sting; as, the puncture of a nail, needle, or pin.

A lion may perish by the puncture of an asp.

Rambler.

Punc"ture, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Punctured (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Puncturing.] To pierce with a small, pointed instrument, or the like; to prick; to make a puncture in; as, to puncture the skin.

Punc"tured (?), a. 1. Having the surface covered with minute indentations or dots.

2. (Med.) Produced by puncture; having the characteristics of a puncture; as, a punctured wound.

Pun"dit (?), n. [Hind. pandit, Skr. pandita a learned man.] A learned man; a teacher; esp., a Brahman versed in the Sanskrit language, and in the science, laws, and religion of the Hindoos; in Cashmere, any clerk or native official. [Written also pandit.] [India]

Pun"dle (?), n. [Cf. Bundle.] A short and fat woman; a squab. [Obs.]

Pu"nese (?), n. [F. punaise, fr. punais stinking, fr. L. putere.] (Zoˆl.) A bedbug. [R or Obs.]

Pung (?), n. [Etymol. uncertain.] A kind of plain sleigh drawn by one horse; originally, a rude oblong box on runners. [U.S.]

Sledges or pungs, coarsely framed of split saplings, and surmounted with a large crockery crate.

Judd.

They did not take out the pungs to- day.

E. E. Hale.

Pun"gence (?), n. [See Pungent.] Pungency.

Pun"gen*cy (?), n. The quality or state of being pungent or piercing; keenness; sharpness; piquancy; as, the pungency of ammonia. "The pungency of menaces." Hammond.

Pun"gent (?), a. [L. pungens, -entis, p. pr. of pungere, punctum, to prick. Cf. Compunction, Expunge, Poignant, Point, n., Puncheon, Punctilio, Punt, v. t.] 1. Causing a sharp sensation, as of the taste, smell, or feelings; pricking; biting; acrid; as, a pungent spice.

Pungent radish biting infant's tongue.

Shenstone.

The pungent grains of titillating dust.

Pope.

2. Sharply painful; penetrating; poignant; severe; caustic; stinging.

With pungent pains on every side.

Swift.

His pungent pen played its part in rousing the nation.

J. R. Green.