pierce

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Contents

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

Old French percier, probably from Late Latin *pertusiare, from Latin pertusus, pp. of pertundere "to thrust or bore through," from per- "through" + tundere "to beat, pound,".

[edit] Pronunciation

[edit] Verb

Infinitive
to pierce

Third person singular
pierces

Simple past
pierced

Past participle
pierced

Present participle
piercing

to pierce (third-person singular simple present pierces, present participle piercing, simple past and past participle pierced)

  1. (transitive) to puncture; to break through
    The diver pierced the surface of the water with scarcely a splash.
  2. (transitive) to create a hole in the skin for the purpose of inserting jewelry
    Can you believe he pierced his tongue?
  3. (transitive) to break or interrupt abruptly
    A scream pierced the darkness.

[edit] Translations

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[edit] Derived terms

[edit] Anagrams