PIERCING • FREE TRANSLATOR.ORG • Definition of Piercing

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/pˈɪrsɪŋ/ Listen

verb

Pierce v. t. (past & past part. pierced; pres. part. piercing)

To thrust into, penetrate, or transfix, with a pointed instrument. "I pierce... her tender side."

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.

Fig.: To penetrate; to affect deeply; as, to pierce a mystery. "Pierced with grief." "Can no prayers pierce thee?"

Pierce v. i. To enter; to penetrate; to make a way into or through something, as a pointed instrument does; used literally and figuratively. "And pierced to the skin, but bit no more." "She would not pierce further into his meaning."

adjective

Piercing adj. 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."

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Etymology of 'Piercing'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Piercing" Quotes from Famous Books

... Theodora uttered no piercing shriek; neither did sigh or groan escape her; but she silently sank backwards in the tranquillity of horror. She had now nothing else to hope or fear; no throbbing anxiety to forego,—no further perils to dread—the sum of her misery was complete, and dauntless she might ...

— Gomez Arias - The Moors of the Alpujarras, A Spanish Historical Romance. • Joaquin Telesforo de Trueba y Cosio

... in four days at furthest," Lord Newhaven said to him, and turning, went on quickly to the hall, where the piercing night air came in with the stamping of the impatient ...

— Red Pottage • Mary Cholmondeley

... of their association Tarzan had discovered that he possessed an inexplicable power to govern and direct his mighty friend. At his bidding, Tantor would come from a great distance—as far as his keen ears could detect the shrill and piercing summons of the ape-man—and when Tarzan was squatted upon his head, Tantor would lumber through the jungle in any direction which his rider bade him go. It was the power of the man-mind over that of the brute and it was just as ...

— Jungle Tales of Tarzan • Edgar Rice Burroughs

... heavy blow and by morning the seas were running high. The air was piercing cold, and everybody was glad enough to remain in the cabins. Dave, returning from the ship's library with a volume on travels in England, found Roger had gone to ...

— Dave Porter in the Far North - or, The Pluck of an American Schoolboy • Edward Stratemeyer

... liquid notes of passionate love, there was a spasmodic, fearful gasp succeeded by a long, deep groan. The music stopped abruptly, and the piercing cry of a woman rang out. I threw open the door and rushed headlong into the room. I heard an oath, an exclamation of surprise, and the muffled cry of the woman. I turned in the direction of that faint cry. My foot caught in something, and I fell ...

— The Worlds Greatest Books - Vol. II: Fiction • Arthur Mee, J. A. Hammerton, Eds.

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