Main Entry: pierce

Pronunciation: \ˈpirs\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): pierced; pierc·ing

Etymology: Middle English percen, from Anglo-French percer, from Vulgar Latin *pertusiare, from Latin pertusus, past participle of pertundere to perforate, from per- through + tundere to beat — more at per-, contusion

Date: 14th century

transitive verb 1 a : to run into or through as a pointed weapon does : stab b : to enter or thrust into sharply or painfully
2 : to make a hole through : perforate
3 : to force or make a way into or through
4 : to penetrate with the eye or mind : discern
5 : to penetrate so as to move or touch the emotions ofintransitive verb : to force a way into or through something

synonyms see enter

— pierc·er noun