trenchant

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   Fitted to trench or cut; gutting; sharp.

   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. 2
   adj

   Keen; biting; vigorously articulate and effective; severe.

   Trenchant wit.

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

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