'Piercing' definitions:

Definition of 'piercing'

From: WordNet
adjective
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]
adjective
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]

Definition of 'Piercing'

From: GCIDE
  • 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]

Definition of 'Piercing'

From: 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]

Synonyms of 'piercing'

From: Moby Thesaurus