trenchant

 
Pronunciation: /ˈtrɛn(t)ʃ(ə)nt/

adjective

  • 1vigorous or incisive in expression or style: the White Paper makes trenchant criticisms of health authorities
  • 2 archaic or literary (of a weapon or tool) having a sharp edge: a trenchant blade

Derivatives

trenchancy

noun
trenchant (sense 1).

trenchantly

adverb
trenchant (sense 1).

Origin:

Middle English (in trenchant (sense 2)): from Old French, literally 'cutting', present participle of trenchier (see trench)

Spelling help

Remember that trenchant ends with -ant.