Dictionary entries for 'pierce'

Synonyms

cut
gash
incise
slash
slit
breach
break
gap
hole
perforate
puncture
break
enter
penetrate
perforate
puncture

pierce (pîrs)

[Middle English percen, from Old French percer, probably from Vulgar Latin* pertūsiāre, from Latin pertūsus past participle of pertundere, to bore through, per-, per-, + tundere, to beat.]

verb: pierced, pierc·ing, pierc·es.

transitive verb

To cut or pass through with or as if with a sharp instrument; stab or penetrate.
To make a hole or opening in; perforate.
To make a way through: The path pierced the wilderness.
To sound sharply through: His shout pierced the din.
To succeed in penetrating (something) with the eyes or the intellect: Large glowing yellow eyes pierced the darkness.

intransitive verb

To penetrate into or through something: The rocket pierced through space.

derivatives

pierćer: noun
pierćing: adjective
pierćing·ly: adverb

verb: pierced, pierc·ing, pierc·es.

transitive verb

intransitive verb

derivatives

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition