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"

Pierce \Pierce\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pierced; p. pr. & vb. n. Piercing.] [OE. percen, F. percer, OF. percier, perchier, parchier; perh. fr. (assumed) LL. pertusiare for pertusare, fr. L. pertundere, pertusum, to beat, push, bore through; per through + tundere to beat: cf. OF. pertuisier to pierce, F. pertuis a hole. Cf. Contuse, Parch, Pertuse.]
1. To thrust into, penetrate, or transfix, with a pointed instrument. ``I pierce . . . her tender side.'' --Dryden.

See more meaning on Piercing...

Body piercing, a form of body modification, is the practice of puncturing or cutting a part of the human body, creating an opening in which jewelery may be worn. The word piercing can refer to the act or practice of body piercing, or to an opening in the body created by this act or practice. While the history of body piercing is obscured by a lack of scholarly reference and popular misinformation, ample evidence exists to document that it has been practiced in various forms by both sexes since ancient times throughout the world.

Lip piercing and eyebrow piercing have been particularly widespread and are well represented in historical records and among grave goods. The oldest mummified remains ever discovered were sporting earrings, attesting to the existence of the practice more than 5,000 years ago. Nose piercing is documented as far back as 1500 BCE Piercings of these types have been documented globally, while lip and tongue piercings were historically found in African and American tribal cultures. Nipple and genital piercing have also been practiced by various cultures, with nipple piercing dating back at least to Ancient Rome while genital piercing is described in Ancient India ca. 320 to 550 CE The history of navel piercing is less clear. The practice of body piercing has waxed and waned in Western culture, but it has experienced an increase of popularity since World War II, with sites other than the ears gaining subcultural popularity in the 70s and spreading to mainstream in the 1990s.

• Experiment with nail art, piercing
  New Delhi, May 23 (IANS) Experts say summer is a good time for nail care, so how about adding some jazz to them with stylish tattoos, nail art or nail piercing this season? Read more on this news related to 'Piercing'
• Teens Get Tongue, Lip, Navel Studs at School 'Piercing Party'
  Four teenage girls at an Atlanta, Ga. high school were suspended after they snuck away to the girl's locker room to endure amateur tongue, navel, and lip piercings during school hours.         Read more on this news related to 'Piercing'
• Piercing the White House Bubble
  Kenneth Walsh on how 10 modern-day presidents tried to keep in touch J. Alex Knoll For more than 25 years, Kenneth Walsh has covered the White House and its chief occupant for U.S. News & World Report, penning more than a dozen books in that time. His latest, Prisoners of the White House: The Isolation of America’s Presidents and the Crisis of Leadership, explor Read more on this news related to 'Piercing'