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piercing

body piercing

noun PEER-seeng Rare

Usage Note

Piercing is a direct English borrowing widely used in French for body jewellery and the act of piercing; the officially recommended French term is perçage, though it is rarely used. The French adjective for a 'piercing' gaze or sound is perçant, not the borrowed word. In conversation the English pronunciation is mostly kept, making it instantly recognisable.

Examples

"Elle a un piercing au sourcil."

Natural Translation

She has an eyebrow piercing.

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