— pierceable , adj. — piercer , n.
/pears/ , v. , pierced, piercing .
v.t.
1. to penetrate into or run through (something), as a sharp, pointed dagger, object, or instrument does.
2. to make a hole or opening in.
3. to bore into or through; tunnel.
4. to perforate.
5. to make (a hole, opening, etc.) by or as by boring or perforating.
6. to make a way or path into or through: a road that pierces the dense jungle.
7. to penetrate with the eye or mind; see into or through: She couldn't pierce his thoughts.
8. to affect sharply with some sensation or emotion, as of cold, pain, or grief: The wind pierced her body. Her words pierced our hearts.
9. to sound sharply through (the air, stillness, etc.): A pistol shot pierced the night.
v.i.
10. to force or make a way into or through something; penetrate: to pierce to the heart.
[ 1250-1300; ME percen perc ( i ) er pertusiare, v. deriv. of L pertusus, ptp. of pertundere to bore a hole through, perforate, equiv. to per - PER- + tundere to strike, beat ]
Syn. 1. enter, puncture. PIERCE, PENETRATE suggest the action of one object passing through another or making a way through and into another. The terms are used both concretely and figuratively. To PIERCE is to perforate quickly, as by stabbing; it suggests the use of a sharp, pointed instrument which is impelled by force: to pierce the flesh with a knife; a scream pierces one's ears. PENETRATE suggests a slow or difficult movement: No ordinary bullet can penetrate an elephant's hide; to penetrate the depths of one's ignorance. 8. touch, move, strike, thrill.