i Register
In some senses, trenchant is marked as archaic, figuratively. Watch for register when choosing this word.
trenchant
/ˈtɹɛnʃənt/
adj 3
Collocations
2ADJ.
fair, talonid, trusty
TRENCHANT + NOUN
blade, toledo, wit
Definitions
adj
1
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
Fitted to trench or cut; gutting; sharp.
The trenchant talonid is a character of some miacids and distinguishes these teeth from the hyaenodontids and oxyaenids.
3
Keen; biting; vigorously articulate and effective; severe.
trenchant wit
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.
Thesaurus
Idioms & Phrases
Example Bank
401
The trenchant blade, Toledo trusty, / For want of fighting was grown rusty, / And ate into itself, for lack / Of somebody to hew and hack.
Wiktionary02
The trenchant talonid is a character of some miacids and distinguishes these teeth from the hyaenodontids and oxyaenids.
Wiktionary03
trenchant wit
Wiktionary04
The criticism was trenchant but fair.
Tatoeba · #1762013Usage Notes
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