piercing

• Qualifie un son, une lumière ou un vent très aigu, intense et pénétrant, qui impressionne fortement les sens. Peut aussi décrire un regard ou une douleur vive et incisive.

Describes a sound, light, or wind that is very sharp, loud, or intense.

1. Sharp or penetrating soundB1formal

   A sound that is high-pitched, loud, and often uncomfortable to hear.

   Perçant (son aigu)

   • The piercing scream echoed through the hallway.
   • A piercing whistle signaled the start of the race.
   • The baby's piercing cry woke everyone up.

   Synonymesearsplittinghigh-pitchedpenetratingscreechingsharpshriekingshrillstrident

   Antonymesdulllowmuffledsoft

2. Intense or penetrating gazeB1formal

   A look or stare that is very direct, sharp, and seems to see through someone.

   Regard perçant

   • She gave him a piercing look that made him uncomfortable.
   • His piercing blue eyes seemed to look right through her.
   • The detective's piercing gaze made the suspect nervous.

   Synonymesacuteincisiveintensekeenpenetratingprobingsearchingsharp

3. Extreme cold or windB2formal

   Describes wind or cold that is very sharp and cuts through clothing.

   froid ou vent perçant

   • The piercing wind made it difficult to walk outside.
   • A piercing cold settled over the city overnight.
   • They braved the piercing cold to reach the summit.

   Synonymesarcticbittercuttingfreezingharshpenetratingrawsharpstinging

   Antonymesgentlemildwarm

• Nom désignant le fait de percer une partie du corps, généralement pour y porter un bijou, ou le bijou lui-même porté dans ce piercing.

A noun referring to a hole made in a part of the body, typically for the purpose of wearing jewelry, or the jewelry itself.

1. Body modificationA2informal

   The act or practice of making a hole in a part of the body to insert jewelry.

   Piercing

   • She got a nose piercing last weekend.
   • Ear piercings are very common among teenagers.
   • He decided to get a tongue piercing.

2. The hole itselfA2informal

   The hole created in the body for wearing jewelry.

   Le trou percé dans le corps

   • The piercing healed quickly without infection.
   • She cleaned her new piercing every day.
   • The piercing closed up after she removed the earring.

   Synonymesholeperforationpuncture

• Verbe utilisé pour désigner l'action de pénétrer ou de faire un trou dans quelque chose avec un objet pointu, ou encore de traverser de part en part.

A verb used to indicate the act of penetrating or making a hole through something with a sharp object.

1. Penetrate with a sharp objectB1formal

   To go into or through something, especially with a sharp pointed instrument.

   Perforer avec un objet pointu

   • The needle pierced her skin easily.
   • The arrow pierced the target dead center.
   • He pierced the balloon with a pin.

   Synonymesboredrillimpalelancepenetrateprickpunctureskewerstabstick

2. Make a hole in the bodyA2informal

   To make a small hole in a part of the body for jewelry or decoration.

   percer (le corps)

   • She decided to pierce her ears.
   • He got his nose pierced last weekend.
   • Many people pierce their belly buttons.

3. Penetrate through sound or lightB2formal

   To be suddenly heard or seen clearly through something.

   Traverser (en parlant d'un son ou d'une lumière)

   • A loud scream pierced the silence of the night.
   • The first rays of sunlight pierced the morning fog.
   • Her voice pierced the noise of the crowd.

   Synonymesbreak throughcut throughpenetrate