Powerful in operative effect. Of a medicine, food or drink, poison, chemical reagent, etc.

Of the sun, heat, etc.: producing a strong effect; intense, extreme. Now somewhat rare.

Of inanimate agencies (e.g. a fire, wine, poison, a disease): Strong, powerful. Obsolete.

Impressive, convincing, telling; persuasive, rhetorically or aesthetically forceful; moving.

= home-thrust, adj.

Of an argument, idea, theory, etc.: cogent, effective, convincing.

Esp. of speech: that strikes home; that reaches its intended target.

That has a notable impact or effect, or makes a strong impression; effective, striking.