Trenchant

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈtrÉ›nʃənt/

Alternative forms

• trenchaunt obsolete

Origin

From Old French, from the present participle of trenchier, "to cut."

Full definition of trenchant

Adjective

1. (obsolete) Fitted to trench or cut; gutting; sharp.
• 1663, Hudibras, by Samuel Butler, part 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 effective and articulate; severe; as, trenchant wit.
• 1899, Joseph Conrad, ,His eyes, of the usual blue, were perhaps remarkably cold, and he certainly could make his glance fall on one as trenchant and heavy as an axe.