Hypertext Webster Gateway: "piercing"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
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.
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.
3. Fig.: To penetrate; to affect deeply; as, to pierce a
mystery. ``Pierced with grief.'' --Pope.
Can no prayers pierce thee? --Shak.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
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. -- {Pier"cing*ly}, adv. -- {Pier"cing*ness}, n.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
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}, {sharp}]
2: high-pitched and sharp; "piercing screams"; "a shrill
whistle" [syn: {shrill}, {sharp}]
3: as physically 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}, {stabbing}, {lancinate}, {lancinating}]
4: suitable for cutting or piercing; "incisive teeth"; "the
piercing needle" [syn: {incisive}]
5: loud and sharp; "the piercing shriek of sirens"
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