pierce
pierce (pirs)
transitive verb pierced, piercing pierc′·ing
- to pass into or through as a pointed instrument does; penetrate; stab
- to affect sharply the senses or feelings of
- to make a hole in or through; perforate; bore
- to make (a hole), as by boring or stabbing
- to force a way into or through; break through
- to sound sharply through a shriek pierced the air
- 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
Related Forms:
- piercer pierc′er noun
- piercingly pierc′·ingly adverb
Pierce (pirs)
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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