When you say 'trenchant' are you speaking French?

'Trenchant' is a word borrowed from French 'trenchant'. The word entered the English language some time around the 14th century.

trenchant [adjective] [14th century]

• keen
• vigorously effective and articulate
• caustic
• sharply perceptive
• penetrating

See 'trenchant' on the Loan Words Map

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note: The word trenchant comes from Old French where trenchant was the present participle of trenchier meaning to cut. The word's origin is related to the modern English words trench a cut into the ground and retrench meaning to cut down. Therefore a trenchant remark or analysis is one that is sharp cutting and penetrates to the heart of a matter.
Etymology: Middle English 'trenchaunt' from Anglo-French, present participle of 'trencher'

See more loan words from 1300s.