piquancy

American  

[pee-kuhn-see, -kahn-] / ˈpi kən si, -kɑn- /

Rarely piquantness

noun

1. the fact or quality of being pleasantly strong, sharp, or tart in taste or flavor.

   Piquillo peppers, with their smoky, sweet piquancy, have a unique and irresistible flavor.

2. the fact or quality of being interestingly provocative, stimulating, lively, attractive, etc..

   These pithy sayings of his have more piquancy than objective truth.

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Etymology

Origin of piquancy

piqu(ant) ( def. ) + -ancy ( def. )

Example Sentences

Finally, a dose of horseradish gives the sauce a welcome piquancy.

From Washington Times • Sep. 12, 2023

It wasn’t such an easy match for Stutzmann, however, who emphasized pleasant piquancy over pointed commentary, and carefully burnished the work’s rough-hewn edges.

From New York Times • Feb. 23, 2023

Diced bits of radish, cabbage and white onion add bright crunch and piquancy to this comforting soup that never fails to warm me clean through to the soul.

From Salon • Feb. 3, 2023

Comedy was his baseline, into which he could inject piquancy or poignancy or wickedness as the occasion demanded.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 25, 2022

Still some novelty was necessary, to give to their return the piquancy with which I wished it to be invested.

From "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë