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Webster 1913 Edition

Pierce

Pierce

,
Verb.
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?
Shakespeare

Pierce

,
Verb.
I.
To enter; to penetrate; to make a way into or through something, as a pointed instrument does; – used literally and figuratively.
And
pierced
to the skin, but bit no more.
Spenser.
She would not
pierce
further into his meaning.
Sir P. Sidney.

Webster 1828 Edition

Pierce

PIERCE

,
Verb.
T.
pers.
1.
To thrust into with a pointed instrument; as, to pierce the body with a sword or spear; to pierce the side with a thorn.
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 penetrate the heart deeply; to touch the passions; to excite or affect the passions. 1 Tim.6.
4.
To dive or penetrate into, as a secret or purpose.

PIERCE

,
Verb.
I.
pers. To enter; as a pointed instrument.
1.
To penetrate; to force a way into or through any thing. The shot pierced through the side of the ship.
Her tears will pierce into a marble heart.
2.
To enter; to dive or penetrate, as into a secret.
She would not pierce further into his meaning than himself should declare.
3.
To affect deeply.

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