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Definition of piercing adjective from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

piercing

adjective
 
/ˈpɪəsɪŋ/
 
/ˈpɪrsɪŋ/
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  1. [usually before noun] (of eyes or the way they look at somebody) seeming to notice things about another person that would not normally be noticed, especially in a way that makes that person feel anxious or embarrassed
    • She looked at me with piercing blue eyes.
    • a piercing look
  2. [usually before noun] (of sounds) very high, loud and unpleasant synonym shrill
    • a piercing shriek
    • She has such a piercing voice.
  3. [only before noun] (of feelings) affecting you very strongly, especially in a way that causes you pain
    • piercing sadness
  4. (of the wind or cold) very strong and feeling as if it can pass through your clothes and skin
  5. [only before noun] sharp and able to make a hole in something
    • The animal is covered in long piercing spines.
See piercing in the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary
trait
noun
 
 
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