piercing

Etymology

pierce + -ing

verb

1. present participle and gerund of pierce

noun

1. gerund of pierce
2. A hole made in the body so that jewellery can be worn through it.
   ear piercing
3. An item of jewellery designed to be fitted through a piercing (sense 2).

adj

1. Appearing to look deeply into; penetrating.
   piercing eyes
2. Of temperature, extremely cold so that it penetrates through clothing and shelter.
3. 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 Asbjørnsen, translated by H.L. Brækstad, Folk and Fairy Tales, page 155