Category:Pierce

Pierce, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pierced; p. pr. & vb. n. Piercing.] Etym: [oe. percen, f. percer, of. percier, perchier, parchier; perh. fr. (assumed) ll. pertusiare for pertusare, fr. L. pertundere, pertusum, To beat, push, bore through; per through + tundere to beat: cf. Of. Pertuisier to pierce, f. pertuis a hole. Cf. Contuse, parch, Pertuse.]

1. To thrust into, penetrate, or transfix, with a pointed instrument. "i pierce . . . her tender side." Dryden.

2. To penetrate; to enter; to force a way into or through; to pass Into or through; as, to pierce the enemy's line; a shot pierced the Ship.

3. Fig.: To penetrate; to affect deeply; as, to pierce a mystery. "pierced with grief." Pope. Can no prayers pierce thee shak.

Pierce Pierce, v. i.

Defn: to enter; to penetrate; to make a way into or through Something, as a pointed instrument does; -- used literally and Figuratively. And pierced to the skin, but bit no more. Spenser. She would not pierce further into his meaning. Sir p. Sidney.