pierc·ing 
(pîrsĭng)
(pîrsĭng)adj.
Able or seeming to pierce, as:
a. Very loud; shrill: a piercing cry.
b. Fixed and intense in appearance: piercing blue eyes.
c. Causing pain, especially because of cold: a piercing wind.
d. Trenchant; incisive: piercing remarks.
e. Keenly perceptive or intelligent: a piercing intellect.
n.
1. A piece of jewelry designed to be worn through a perforation in a body part.
2. The hole through which such a piece of jewelry is worn.