pierce

¹

[ peers ]

verb (used with object)

, pierced, pierc·ing.

1. to penetrate into or run through (something), as a sharp, pointed dagger, object, or instrument does.

   Synonyms: puncture, enter

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.

   Synonyms: thrill, strike, move, touch

9. to sound sharply through (the air, stillness, etc.):

   A pistol shot pierced the night.

verb (used without object)

, pierced, pierc·ing.

1. to force or make a way into or through something; penetrate:

   to pierce to the heart.

Pierce

²

[ peers ]

noun

1. Franklin, 1804–69, 14th president of the U.S. 1853–57.
2. John Robinson, 1910–2002, U.S. electrical engineer: helped develop communications satellites.
3. a male given name, form of Peter.

pierce

¹

/ pɪəs /

verb

1. to form or cut (a hole) in (something) with or as if with a sharp instrument
2. to thrust into or penetrate sharply or violently

   the thorn pierced his heel

3. to force (a way, route, etc) through (something)
4. (of light) to shine through or penetrate (darkness)
5. also intr to discover or realize (something) suddenly or (of an idea) to become suddenly apparent
6. (of sounds or cries) to sound sharply through (the silence)
7. to move or affect (a person's emotions, bodily feelings, etc) deeply or sharply

   the cold pierced their bones

8. intr to penetrate or be capable of penetrating

   piercing cold

Pierce

²

/ pɪəs /

noun

1. PierceFranklin18041869MUSPOLITICS: statesmanPOLITICS: head of state Franklin. 1804–69, US statesman; 14th president of the US (1853–57)

Derived Forms

• ˈpierceable, adjective
• ˈpiercer, noun

Other Words From

• piercea·ble adjective
• piercer noun
• un·piercea·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pierce¹

1250–1300; Middle English percen < Old French perc ( i ) er < Vulgar Latin *pertūsiāre, verbal derivative of Latin pertūsus, past participle of pertundere to bore a hole through, perforate, equivalent to per- per- + tundere to strike, beat

Word History and Origins

Origin of pierce¹

C13 percen, from Old French percer, ultimately from Latin pertundere, from per through + tundere to strike

Synonym Study

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.

Example Sentences

“Any way you slice it, our estimates are that the benefits are going to vastly outweigh the costs,” said Gregory Pierce, research director of the Luskin Center.

From Los Angeles Times

Santa Monica College has been offering a free non-credit Emeritus program for 50 years, and Pierce College in Woodland Hills has a similar program called Encore.

From Los Angeles Times

Both opportunities to talk to Trump are put down to an impressive diplomatic operation at the British Embassy in Washington – led by the ambassador Dame Karen Pierce.

From BBC

TV star Wendell Pierce says he will remember the fifth and final game of the 2024 World Series — but for all the wrong reasons.

From Los Angeles Times

Fellow Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Paul Pierce noted the statue’s resemblance to his former Boston Celtics teammate Tony Allen and wrote “D Wade need a redo he to legendary fa this.”

From Los Angeles Times