Causing emotional pain or hurt feelings, or creating a physical injury by cutting or piercing.
From Old English 'wund' (from Germanic roots meaning 'wound' or 'injury'), plus '-ing' to make it an adjective. The metaphorical use for emotional hurt developed gradually.
Words can be literally wounding—studies show that emotional pain activates the same brain regions as physical pain, which is why the phrase 'sticks and stones may break my bones' is actually scientifically backwards!
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