v. 1 tr. a (of a sharp instrument etc.) penetrate the surface of. b (often foll. by with) prick with a sharp instrument, esp. to make a hole in. c make (a hole etc.) (pierced a hole in the belt). d (of cold, grief, etc.) affect keenly or sharply. e (of a light, glance, sound, etc.) penetrate keenly or sharply. 2 (as piercing adj.) (of a glance, intuition, high noise, bright light, etc.) keen, sharp, or unpleasantly penetrating. 3 tr. force (a way etc.) through or into (something) (pierced their way through the jungle). 4 intr. (usu. foll. by through, into) penetrate. piercer n. piercingly adv.
[ ME f. OF percer f. L pertundere bore through (as PER-, tundere tus- thrust) ]