pierce Hear it!

pierce Definition

pierce (pirs)

transitive verb pierced, pierc′·ing

  1. to pass into or through as a pointed instrument does; penetrate; stab
  2. to affect sharply the senses or feelings of
  3. to make a hole in or through; perforate; bore
  4. to make (a hole), as by boring or stabbing
  5. to force a way into or through; break through
  6. to sound sharply through a shriek pierced the air
  7. to penetrate with the sight or mind to pierce a mystery

Etymology: ME percen < OFr percer < VL *pertusiare < L pertusus, pp. of pertundere, to thrust through < per, through + tundere, to strike < IE base *(s)teu-, to push > stock

intransitive verb

to penetrate (to, into, or through something)

pierce Related Forms
pierc′er noun pierc′·ingly adverb
Pierce Definition

Pierce (pirs)

Pierce, Franklin 1804-69; 14th president of the U.S. (1853-57)

pierce Synonyms

pierce

v.

go through, go into, pass through, pass into, break through, break into, enter, stab, intrude; see also penetrate 1.

pierce Usage Examples

Object

  • veil: Also, Nevada has a certain attitude about piercing the corporate veil, which is why major corporations domicile in Nevada.
  • ear: The earrings are for pierced ears with post backing.
  • gloom: Scimitar sharp they pierce the gloom, shadowy long fingers of doom.
  • nipple: They were led by a spectacularly handsome black Brazilian, sporting a pierced nipple.
  • parapet: The top of the tower is a pierced Gothic parapet with eight pinnacles.
  • armor: The longbow could also pierce armor at ranges of more than 250 yards.

Preposition: with

  • skewer: Steam the beetroot until they can be pierced easily with a skewer, then gently rub off the skins with your fingers.
  • knife: Check if the chicken is done by piercing with a sharp knife in a fleshy bit.
  • arrow: Early Roman martyrs, the former was pierced with arrows at the stake, the latter was beheaded.
  • hole: Carolyn also inserted the bottom 2/3 of a plastic bottle that she had pierced with small holes into the compost.

Subject

  • arrow: The reader who was singing the Alleluia had his throat pierced by an arrow.
  • sword: The picture shows the Virgin with her heart pierced by seven swords.
  • hole: The capstone is pierced by a hole, the purpose of which is unknown.

Preposition: by

  • spear: The letters are enclosed within a Sacred Heart pierced stylistically by the spear and nails of the Passion to give added religious emphasis.
  • arrow: The reader who was singing the Alleluia had his throat pierced by an arrow.
  • sword: The picture shows the Virgin with her heart pierced by seven swords.
  • nail: Tires pierced by nails are the same as studded rally tires and they are illegal in Britain.
  • hole: The capstone is pierced by a hole, the purpose of which is unknown.
  • window: Castle walls rear up against the western sky, pierced by grimly empty windows.

Followed by an intransitive particle

  • through: Nobody can pierce through to Jesus ' identity by his own cleverness.