Lancinate
/ˈlæn.sɪ.neɪt/noun
To tear, cut, or pierce sharply; to cause a stabbing pain.
Did you know?Its root is the same ancient weapon-word behind *lance*, so the language of pain and the language of warfare were fused together from the start.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*lang-
“to bend, curve, or be crooked”
Latin
Latin
lancea
“a light spear or lance”
Late Latin
Latin
lancino
“to tear to pieces, lacerate”
Middle English
English
lancinate
“to pierce or tear sharply”
Modern English
English
lancinate
“to cause a sharp, stabbing pain”