Search Result for "piercing": 
Wordnet 3.0

ADJECTIVE (2)

1. having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions;
- Example: "an acute observer of politics and politicians"
- Example: "incisive comments"
- Example: "icy knifelike reasoning"
- Example: "as sharp and incisive as the stroke of a fang"
- Example: "penetrating insight"
- Example: "frequent penetrative observations"
[syn: acute, discriminating, incisive, keen, knifelike, penetrating, penetrative, piercing, sharp]

2. painful as if caused by a sharp instrument;
- Example: "a cutting wind"
- Example: "keen winds"
- Example: "knifelike cold"
- Example: "piercing knifelike pains"
- Example: "piercing cold"
- Example: "piercing criticism"
- Example: "a stabbing pain"
- Example: "lancinating pain"
[syn: cutting, keen, knifelike, piercing, stabbing, lancinate, lancinating]



The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Piercing \Pier"cing\, a.
   Forcibly entering, or adapted to enter, at or by a point;
   perforating; penetrating; keen; -- used also figuratively;
   as, a piercing instrument, or thrust. "Piercing eloquence."
   --Shak.
   [1913 Webster] -- Pier"cing*ly, adv. -- Pier"cing*ness,
   n.
   [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Pierce \Pierce\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pierced; p. pr. & vb. n.
   Piercing.] [OE. percen, F. percer, OF. percier, perchier,
   parchier; perh. fr. (assumed) LL. pertusiare for pertusare,
   fr. L. pertundere, pertusum, to beat, push, bore through; per
   through + tundere to beat: cf. OF. pertuisier to pierce, F.
   pertuis a hole. Cf. Contuse, Parch, Pertuse.]
   1. To thrust into, penetrate, or transfix, with a pointed
      instrument. "I pierce . . . her tender side." --Dryden.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. To penetrate; to enter; to force a way into or through; to
      pass into or through; as, to pierce the enemy's line; a
      shot pierced the ship.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. Fig.: To penetrate; to affect deeply; as, to pierce a
      mystery. "Pierced with grief." --Pope.
      [1913 Webster]

            Can no prayers pierce thee?           --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]


WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

piercing
    adj 1: having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine
           distinctions; "an acute observer of politics and
           politicians"; "incisive comments"; "icy knifelike
           reasoning"; "as sharp and incisive as the stroke of a
           fang"; "penetrating insight"; "frequent penetrative
           observations" [syn: acute, discriminating,
           incisive, keen, knifelike, penetrating,
           penetrative, piercing, sharp]
    2: painful as if caused by a sharp instrument; "a cutting wind";
       "keen winds"; "knifelike cold"; "piercing knifelike pains";
       "piercing cold"; "piercing criticism"; "a stabbing pain";
       "lancinating pain" [syn: cutting, keen, knifelike,
       piercing, stabbing, lancinate, lancinating]