pierce

[ peers ]

/ pɪərs /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR pierce ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), pierced, pierc·ing.

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

to make a hole or opening in.

to bore into or through; tunnel.

to perforate.

to make (a hole, opening, etc.) by or as by boring or perforating.

to make a way or path into or through: a road that pierces the dense jungle.

to penetrate with the eye or mind; see into or through: She couldn't pierce his thoughts.

to affect sharply with some sensation or emotion, as of cold, pain, or grief: The wind pierced her body. Her words pierced our hearts.

to sound sharply through (the air, stillness, etc.): A pistol shot pierced the night.

verb (used without object), pierced, pierc·ing.

to force or make a way into or through something; penetrate: to pierce to the heart.

Nearby words

piend, pieplant, pier, pier glass, pier table, pierce, pierce's disease, pierce, franklin, pierce, john, pierced, piercing

Origin of pierce

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

SYNONYMS FOR pierce

1 enter, puncture.

8 touch, move, strike, thrill.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR pierce ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

pierce·a·ble, adjectivepierc·er, nounun·pierce·a·ble, adjective

Synonym study

1. 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.

Definition for pierce (2 of 2)

Pierce

[ peers ]

/ pɪərs /

noun

Franklin,1804–69, 14th president of the U.S. 1853–57.

John Robinson,1910–2002, U.S. electrical engineer: helped develop communications satellites.

a male given name, form of Peter.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for pierce

She had low-grade blood poisoning in her ear from the pin she used to pierce it.
‘My Crazy Love’ Reveals the Craziest Lies People Tell for Love|Kevin Fallon|November 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
PIERCE BROSNAN The Irish actor and ex-James Bond—whose father was Scottish—is cool either way.
Celebs Pick Sides on Scotland Referendum: Sean Connery, Andy Murray, Prince Harry, and More|Marlow Stern|September 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Pierce sounded genuinely anguished about the unintended consequences of the bill he supported.
Republicans Go From Anti-Gay to No Way on Arizona Bill|Eleanor Clift|February 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I thought you were a hoot on Community as the lawyer for the estate of Pierce.
Kentucky’s Finest Antihero: Walton Goggins on Justified’s Chameleon Villain|Allen Barra|February 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST

In the 1999 film starring Pierce Brosnan, an art thief evades capture by hiding in plain sight.
Samantha Lewthwaite: ‘White Widow’ Involved in Kenya Attack?|Nico Hines|September 24, 2013|DAILY BEAST
But this must have been a giant-labour, for it was found necessary to pierce a high mountain for the purpose.
Louis Spohr's Autobiography|Louis Spohr
These are hardened in the fire, and sharpened, and when so prepared, they will pierce through armour easier than if made of iron.
A General History and Collection of Voyages and Travels, Vol. I|Robert Kerr
It yielded to her touch at once, and Fays hungry eyes tried to pierce through the semi-darkness.
Wee Wifie|Rosa Nouchette Carey
The hall opens at the right into an old-fashioned parlor, where hangs a portrait of the mother of President Pierce.
Historic Homes|Mary H. Northend
She was leaning forward, trying to pierce the darkness of the road before them.
Elizabeth Hobart at Exeter Hall|Jean K. Baird

British Dictionary definitions for pierce (1 of 2)

pierce

/ (pɪəs) /

verb (mainly tr)

to form or cut (a hole) in (something) with or as if with a sharp instrument

to thrust into or penetrate sharply or violentlythe thorn pierced his heel

to force (a way, route, etc) through (something)

(of light) to shine through or penetrate (darkness)

(also intr) to discover or realize (something) suddenly or (of an idea) to become suddenly apparent

(of sounds or cries) to sound sharply through (the silence)

to move or affect (a person's emotions, bodily feelings, etc) deeply or sharplythe cold pierced their bones

(intr) to penetrate or be capable of penetratingpiercing cold

Derived Forms

pierceable, adjectivepiercer, noun

Word Origin for pierce

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

British Dictionary definitions for pierce (2 of 2)

Pierce

/ (pɪəs) /

noun

Franklin. 1804–69, US statesman; 14th president of the US (1853–57)

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

pierce

verb (used with object), pierced, pierc·ing.

verb (used without object), pierced, pierc·ing.

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RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of pierce

SYNONYMS FOR pierce

Related forms

Synonym study

Definition for pierce (2 of 2)

Pierce

noun

Examples from the Web for pierce

British Dictionary definitions for pierce (1 of 2)

pierce

verb (mainly tr)

Derived Forms

Word Origin for pierce

British Dictionary definitions for pierce (2 of 2)

Pierce

noun