pierce

present singular third person pierces · participle present piercing · participle past pierced · past pierced

1. transitiveTo puncture; to break through.

   A shot pierced the ship.

   4 more examples

   The diver pierced the surface of the water with scarcely a splash.

   to pierce the enemy's line

   I pierce her open back, or tender side

   1700, [John] Dryden, “Theodore and Honoria, from Boccace”, in Fables Ancient and Modern; […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC

   What appliance can pierce through the outer layers of a star and test the conditions within?

   1926, A[rthur] [S]tanley Eddington, “Survey of the Problem”, in The Internal Constitution of the Stars, page 1

   Synonyms: transfix

2. transitiveTo create a hole in the skin for the purpose of inserting jewelry.

   Can you believe he pierced his tongue?

3. transitiveto break or interrupt abruptly

   A dreadful scream pierced the silence.

4. figurativelytransitiveTo get to the heart or crux of (a matter).

   to pierce a mystery

5. figurativelytransitiveTo penetrate; to affect deeply.

   A stab of fear pierced my heart.

   3 more examples

   pierced with grief

   1715–1720, Homer, “Book XI”, in Alexander Pope, transl., The Iliad of Homer, volume (please specify |volume=I to VI), London: […] W[illiam] Bowyer, for Bernard Lintott […], →OCLC

   Can no prayers pierce thee?

   c. 1596–1598 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Merchant of Venice”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene i]

   The flatness of the landscape facilitates views right across the Firth of Forth to Fife, before the railway begins to pierce the Edinburgh suburbs.

   2022 November 30, Paul Bigland, “Destination Oban: a Sunday in Scotland”, in RAIL, number 971, page 75

plural pierces

1. nonstandardA piercing.

   When I was considering a tongue pierce, I had to find out as much as I could about it.

   1998 March 20, dssyenon (Ted Liu), “ Oh God, My Nephew Wants a Tongue Ring !”, in alt.health (Usenet), archived from the original on 02 Jul 2026

   3 more examples

   Actually, a navel pierce beautificates any feminine form, as I'm sure it does for you...

   1997 June 18, ROBERT W. MONTCALM, “Naval piercing for men.”, in rec.arts.bodyart (Usenet), archived from the original on 02 Jul 2026

   Hello , I already have a lip pierce (ring) and want to get another one on the other side of my lip.

   1998 June 30, jawhar, “dual lip pierce”, in rec.arts.bodyart (Usenet), archived from the original on 02 Jul 2026

   I've had other employees with piercings and I've dealt with them accordingly. One had a lip pierce, the other a nose pierce. The first was a summer hire and very agreeable to removing the pierce while at the center. The latter has been with us for almost two years, and when she came in one day with the nose pierce, probably forgetting to remove it before arrival, all I had to do was quietly talk to her -- nothing formal or threatening, just a reminder -- and the piercing disappeared.

   1999 February 21, Mariann T. Woodward, “Staff and Body Piercing”, in alt.childcare (Usenet), archived from the original on 02 Jul 2026

plural pierces

1. JapanA pierced earring.

alternative Bearss

1. A male given name from Ancient Greek, medieval variant of Piers. Modern usage may also derive from the surname.
2. A surname originating as a patronymic.
3. A number of places in the United States:
   1. A town in Weld County, Colorado.
   2. A minor city in Clearwater County, Idaho.
   3. An unincorporated community in Wilton Township, Will County, Illinois.
   4. An unincorporated community in Green County, Kentucky.
   5. A city, the county seat of Pierce County, Nebraska.
   6. An unincorporated community in Wharton County, Texas.
   7. An unincorporated community and coal town in Tucker County, West Virginia.
   8. A town in Kewaunee County, Wisconsin.
   9. A number of townships, listed under Pierce Township.