piquant
pleasantly sharp, spicy, or stimulating
Root
- piqu / pique: prick, sting, or sharply excite
Other words with the piqu / pique root
- pique: to prick interest or irritation
Piquant keeps the small prick of sharpness: flavor, wit, or interest gets a clean sting.
The reviewer liked the essay's piquant humor because it sharpened the point without turning cruel.