[pierce] vb pierced ; pierc.ing [ME percen, fr. OF percer, fr. (assumed) VL pertusiare, fr. L pertusus, pp. of pertundere to perforate, fr. per- through + tundere to beat--more at per-, contusion] vt (14c) 1 a: to run into or through as a pointed weapon does: stab b: to enter or thrust into sharply or painfully
2: to make a hole through: perforate
3: to force or make a way into or through
4: to penetrate with the eye or mind: discern
5: to penetrate so as to move or touch the emotions of ~ vi: to force a way into or through something syn see enter