piercing
UK: ˈpɪəsɪŋ | US: ˈpɪrsɪŋ
adj. sharp or intense in effect (e.g., a piercing scream)
adj. penetratingly cold or forceful (e.g., piercing wind)
n. the act of making a hole in something (e.g., ear piercing)
n. a piece of jewelry worn in a pierced body part
The word "piercing" derives from the verb "pierce," which entered Middle English from Old French "percer" (to bore through), likely of Vulgar Latin origin (pertusiare, from Latin pertundere: per- "through" + tundere "to beat"). The suffix "-ing" forms the present participle or gerund, turning the action into an adjective or noun. Over time, "piercing" evolved to describe both the physical act of penetrating and metaphorical intensity (e.g., sound or cold).
Her piercing gaze made him uneasy.
The piercing wind cut through their jackets.
He got a nose piercing last weekend.
The baby’s piercing cry woke the neighbors.
She wore a silver piercing in her eyebrow.