piercing meaning: definition, etymology and quotations

piercing

noun

US /ˈpɪɹsɪŋ/ · UK /ˈpɪəsɪŋ/

Etymology From pierce + -ing.

Gerund gerund of pierce

A hole made in the body so that jewellery can be worn through it.

An item of jewellery designed to be fitted through a piercing (noun sense 2).

Derived terms: body piercing, Christina piercing, daith piercing, industrial piercing, lip piercing, Madonna piercing, Medusa piercing, Monroe piercing, Nefertiti piercing, nose piercing, piercing gun, septum piercing

adj

Etymology From pierce + -ing.

Appearing to look deeply into; penetrating.

Of temperature, extremely cold so that it penetrates through clothing and shelter.

Of sound, loud and sharp; shrill.

The piercing noise of the children could be heard two blocks from the elementary school.
In the meantime the saw was stopped and two of the men began filing and sharpening the blades, which produced such a piercing sound that it went through bone and marrow.1886, Peter Christen Asbjø￵rnsen, translated by H.L. Brækstad, Folk and Fairy Tales, page 155:

Derived terms: armour-piercing, armor-piercing, ear-piercing, nonpiercing, piercingly, piercingness, unpiercing