lancinating

adjective

lan·​ci·​nat·​ing ˈlan(t)-sə-ˌnā-tiŋ 

: characterized by piercing or stabbing sensations

lancinating pain

Word History

Etymology

lancinate to pierce, from Latin lancinatus, past participle of lancinare; akin to Latin lacerare to rend — more at lacerate

First Known Use

1762, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

lancinating

adjective

lan·​ci·​nat·​ing ˈlan(t)-sə-ˌnāt-iŋ 

: characterized by piercing or stabbing sensations

The patient's lancinating pain is clearly indicative of nerve irritation …

—Milton Alter, The Journal of the American Medical Association