lanciner

Senses

1. 1.

   to throb; to shoot (pain)

   to cause sharp, recurrent pain (physical sensation)

2. 2.

   to torment; to gnaw at

   to persistently trouble or distress (emotional or psychological sense)

Examples

• "Une douleur lancinante me traverse la jambe."

  A shooting pain runs through my leg.

• "Le remords lancinait sa conscience."

  Remorse gnawed at his conscience.

• "Cette question ne cessait de me lanciner."

  This question kept tormenting me.

Usage

Used in medical/physical contexts (pain) and figuratively for emotional or psychological distress. The adjective form *lancinant(e)* is very common; the verb itself is somewhat literary. Often appears in present participle or imperfect tense.