different between pungent vs flaming

English

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin pungens (stem pungent-), present participle of pungo (“to sting”).

Pronunciation

• enPR: p?nj?nt, IPA^(key): /?p?nd??nt/

Adjective

pungent (comparative more pungent, superlative most pungent)

1. Having a strong odor that stings the nose, said especially of acidic or spicy substances.

   I accidentally dropped the bottle of ammonia and after few seconds, a very pungent stench could be detected.

   • 1991, Paul Chadwick, Concrete: American Christmas, Dark Horse Books

     I can almost smell the fir scent… resinous, pungent.

2. Having a strong taste that stings the tongue, said especially of hot (spicy) food, which has a strong and sharp or bitter taste.
3. (figuratively) Stinging; acerbic.

   The critic gave a pungent review.

4. (botany) Having a sharp and stiff point.

Derived terms

• pungence
• pungently

Translations

Latin

Verb

pungent

1. third-person plural future active indicative of pung?

English

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?fle?m??/
• Rhymes: -e?m??

Adjective

flaming (comparative more flaming, superlative most flaming)

1. On fire with visible flames.

   The flaming debris kept the firefighter well back, and the sparks threatened the neighborhood.

   • 2011, Stephanie Owen Reeder, Amazing Grace: An Adventure at Sea (page 76)

     On Christmas Day, the pudding was served piping hot, with flaming brandy on top.

2. Very bright and the color of flame.
3. (colloquial) Extremely obvious; visibly evident. Typically of a homosexual male.

   To call him a flaming homosexual would be an understatement, but I think he acts that way just to see people react.

4. (Britain, colloquial) Damned, bloody.

   I wasted three hours in that flaming traffic jam!

Translations

Verb

flaming

1. present participle of flame

Noun

flaming (plural flamings)

1. An emission or application of fire; act of burning with flames.
   • 1950, Market Growers Journal (volume 79, page 12)

     The burning is done before the crop has come up, and usually two flamings are necessary to kill all weeds […]

2. Sterilization by holding an object in a hot flame.
3. (Internet slang) Vitriolic criticism.

   You can expect a flaming if you post irrelevant spam to a newsgroup.

See also

• flame war
• flame bait

Polish

Etymology

From Portuguese flamingo, from Spanish flamengo (“flame colored”), from Provençal flama (“flame”), from Latin flamma (“flame”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?fla.m?ink/

Noun

flaming m anim

1. flamingo

Declension