pɪəs v. 1 tr. a (of a
sharp instrument etc.)
penetrate the surface of. b (often foll. by with)
prick with a sharp instrument,
esp. to
make a
hole in. c make (a hole etc.) (pierced a hole in the belt). d (of
cold,
grief, etc.) affect keenly or sharply. e (of a
light, glance,
sound, etc.) penetrate keenly or sharply. 2 (as piercing adj.) (of a glance,
intuition,
high noise,
bright light, etc.) keen, sharp, or unpleasantly penetrating. 3 tr. force (a
way etc.)
through or
into (something) (pierced
their way through the jungle). 4 intr. (usu. foll. by through, into) penetrate. øøpiercer n. piercingly adv. [ME f. OF percer f. L pertundere bore through (as
PER-, tundere tusthrust)]