Your ShelfYour Projects
Webster's Dictionary (1865)

2 entries under this word

Pierce

Piérce, v. t.

verbtransitive

(formerly pron. pērs), v. t. [imp. & p. p. PIERCED (peerst); p. pr. & vb. n. PIERCING.] [Fr. percer, O. Fr. perser, perchier, parchier, contracted from pertuisier, Fr. pertusar, It. pertugiare, from Lat. pertundere, pertusum, to beat, push, bore through, from the prefix per, through, and tundere, to beat; Fr. pertuis, It. pertugio, a hole.]

  1. To thrust into or transfix with a pointed instrument.
  2. To penetrate; to enter; to force a way into; as, a column of troops pierced the main body of the enemy; a shot pierced the ship.
  3. To touch, as the affections; to move deeply, as the feelings.

Did your letters pierce the queen? Shak. Can no prayers pierce thee? Shak. 4. To dive or penetrate into, as a secret or purpose.

Piërce, v. i.

verbintransitive

v. i. 1. To enter, as a pointed instrument.

Sense 2. To penetrate; to force a way into or through any thing.

Her tears will pierce into a marble heart. Shak.

Sense 3. To dive or penetrate, as into a secret; to enter.

She would not pierce further into his meaning than himself should declare. Sidney.