piercing

Adjective
Synonyms: acutediscriminatingincisivekeenknifelikepenetratingpenetrativesharpcuttingstabbinglancinatelancinating

WordNet 3.0

Adjective (2)

  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”Synonyms: acutediscriminatingincisivekeenknifelikepenetratingpenetrativesharp
  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”Synonyms: cuttingkeenknifelikestabbinglancinatelancinating
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

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]
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]
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