3  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Pierce  \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. 
 
  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. 
 
  3.  Fig.:  To  penetrate;  to  affect  deeply;  as  to  pierce  a 
  mystery.  ``Pierced  with  grief.''  --Pope. 
 
  Can  no  prayers  pierce  thee?  --Shak. 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Piercing  \Pier"cing\,  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.  --  {Pier"cing*ly},  adv  --  {Pier"cing*ness},  n. 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  piercing 
  adj  1:  having  or  demonstrating  ability  to  recognize  or  draw  fine 
  distinctions;  "an  acute  observer  of  politics  and 
  politicians";  "incisive  comments";  "icy  knifelike 
  reasoning";  "as  sharp  and  incisive  as  the  stroke  of  a 
  fang";  "penetrating  insight";  "frequent  penetrative 
  observations"  [syn:  {acute},  {discriminating},  {incisive}, 
  {keen},  {knifelike},  {penetrating},  {penetrative},  {sharp}] 
  2:  high-pitched  and  sharp;  "piercing  screams";  "a  shrill 
  whistle"  [syn:  {shrill},  {sharp}] 
  3:  as  physically  painful  as  if  caused  by  a  sharp  instrument;  "a 
  cutting  wind";  "keen  winds";  "knifelike  cold";  "piercing 
  knifelike  pains";  "piercing  cold";  "piercing  criticism"; 
  "a  stabbing  pain";  "a  gray  world  with  ice  and  toothed 
  winds"  [syn:  {cutting},  {keen},  {knifelike},  {stabbing}] 
  4:  suitable  for  cutting  or  piercing;  "incisive  teeth";  "the 
  piercing  needle"  [syn:  {incisive}] 
  5:  loud  and  sharp;  "the  piercing  shriek  of  sirens" 

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