Pierce — Defs

01 v. t. To thrust into, penetrate, or transfix, with a pointed instrument.

imp. & p. p. Pierced; p. pr. & vb. n. Piercing

1.
To thrust into, penetrate, or transfix, with a pointed instrument.
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.
“Can no prayers pierce thee?” — Shak.

02 v. i. To enter; to penetrate; to make a way into or through something, as a pointed instrument does; -- used literally and figuratively.

1.
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.