different between biting vs trenchant

English

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?ba?t??/
• Rhymes: -a?t??

Verb

biting

1. present participle of bite

Noun

biting (plural bitings)

1. An instance of something being bitten.

Derived terms

• nail biting, nailbiting

Translations

Adjective

biting (comparative more biting, superlative most biting)

1. Causing a stinging sensation.

   a biting wind

2. Cutting or incisive.

   a biting criticism

3. Tending to bite.

   a biting insect

Translations

Derived terms

• bitingly
• nail-biting, nailbiting

Danish

Etymology

From bi- (“by-”) +? ting (“thing”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /biten?/, [?b?it?e??]
• Rhymes: -e??

Noun

biting c (singular definite bitingen, plural indefinite biting)

1. a matter of secondary importance

Usage notes

Almost always used in the indefinite form.

Inflection

Synonyms

• bagatel

English

Alternative forms

• trenchaunt (obsolete)

Etymology

Borrowed into Middle English from Old French trenchant, the present participle of trenchier (“to cut”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?t??n??nt/

Adjective

trenchant (comparative more trenchant, superlative most trenchant)

1. (obsolete) Fitted to trench or cut; gutting; sharp.
   • 1663, Samuel Butler, Hudibras, part 1, canto 1:

     The trenchant blade, Toledo trusty, / For want of fighting was grown rusty, / And ate into itself, for lack / Of somebody to hew and hack.

2. (figuratively) Keen; biting; vigorously articulate and effective; severe.
   • 2011, Jay A. Gertzman, Bookleggers and Smuthounds: The Trade in Erotica, 1920-1940

     His trenchant criticisms of the Church's repression […] include a discussion of the considerable 1938 success of the fledgling NODL in getting magazines removed from various points of sale.

Translations

Middle French

Etymology

Old French trenchant.

Noun

trenchant m or f (plural trenchans)

1. sharp

Descendants

• French: tranchant

Old French

Adjective

trenchant m (oblique and nominative feminine singular trenchant or trenchante)

1. sharp; razor sharp

Declension

Verb

trenchant

1. present participle of trenchier