pi·quant 
(p
ēk
ənt, -känt
′, p
ē-känt
)
adj.1. Pleasantly pungent or tart in taste; spicy.
2. Appealingly provocative; charming: a piquant wit; a piquant face.
3. Causing hurt feelings; stinging: "people with equally piquant opinions about obesity, appearance and American doublespeak about weight" (Virginia Heffernan).
[French, from Old French, present participle of piquer, to prick; see PIQUE.]
piquan·cy, piquant·ness n.
piquant·ly adv.