| Pierce | v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Pierced p. pr. & vb. n. Piercing ] [ OE. percen, F. percer, OF. percier, perchier, parchier; perh. fr. (assumed) LL. pertusiare for pertusare, fr. L. pertundere, pertusum, to beat, push, bore through; per through + tundere to beat: cf. OF. pertuisier to pierce, F. pertuis a hole. Cf. Contuse, Parch, Pertuse. ] 1. To thrust into, penetrate, or transfix, with a pointed instrument. “I pierce . . . her tender side.” Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. To penetrate; to enter; to force a way into or through; to pass into or through; as, to pierce the enemy's line; a shot pierced the ship. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. Fig.: To penetrate; to affect deeply; as, to pierce a mystery. “Pierced with grief.” Pope. [ 1913 Webster ] Can no prayers pierce thee? Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] |
| Pierce | v. i. To enter; to penetrate; to make a way into or through something, as a pointed instrument does; -- used literally and figuratively. [ 1913 Webster ] And pierced to the skin, but bit no more. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ] She would not pierce further into his meaning. Sir P. Sidney. [ 1913 Webster ] |
| Piercer | n. 1. One who, or that which, pierces or perforates; specifically: (a) An instrument used in forming eyelets; a stiletto. (b) A piercel. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. (Zool.) (a) The ovipositor, or sting, of an insect. (b) An insect provided with an ovipositor. [ 1913 Webster ] |
| Piercing | a. Forcibly entering, or adapted to enter, at or by a point; perforating; penetrating; keen; -- used also figuratively; as, a piercing instrument, or thrust. “Piercing eloquence.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] -- Pier"cing*ly, adv. -- Pier"cing*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ] |
