piercing (
http://definr.com/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"