English Lexicon

Piercing gaze

/ˈpɪə.sɪŋ ɡeɪz/
nounCEFR C1 (Advanced)Top #8500 frequency
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Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As noun
  1. 1

    An intense, penetrating look that seems to see deeply into someone's thoughts or feelings.

    "She felt uncomfortable under the detective's piercing gaze."
  2. 2

    A sharply focused, unblinking stare conveying intense concentration, scrutiny, or emotion.

    "He held the room in silence with his piercing gaze."

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Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

The term combines 'piercing', derived from the Old French 'percier' (to puncture or penetrate), and 'gaze', originating in Middle English as a verb meaning to stare fixedly. Together, the collocation developed in the late 19th century to describe a look so intense and focused that it metaphorically penetrates the surface.

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