DICT.TW Dictionary Taiwan
Pierce v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pierced p. pr. & vb. n. Piercing ]
1. To thrust into, penetrate, or transfix, with a pointed instrument. “I pierce . . . her tender side.”
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.
3. Fig.: To penetrate; to affect deeply; as, to pierce a mystery. “Pierced with grief.”
Can no prayers pierce thee? --Shak.
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.”
-- Pier*cing*ly, adv. -- Pier*cing*ness, n.
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piercing
adj 1: 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, sharp]
2: high-pitched and sharp; "piercing screams"; "a shrill
whistle" [syn: shrill, sharp]
3: as physically 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, stabbing, lancinate, lancinating]
4: suitable for cutting or piercing; "incisive teeth"; "the
piercing needle" [syn: incisive]
5: loud and sharp; "the piercing shriek of sirens"