pierce

pierce [pıəs US pırs] v

[Date: 1200-1300; : Old French; Origin: percer, probably from Latin pertundere 'to make a hole through']

1.) [T]

to make a small hole in or through something, using an object with a sharp point

▪ Steam the corn until it can easily be pierced with a fork.

▪ Rose underwent emergency surgery after a bullet pierced her lung.

pierce a hole in/through sth

▪ Pierce small holes in the base of the pot with a hot needle.

2.) have your ears/nose etc pierced

to have a small hole made in your ears, nose etc so that you can wear jewellery through the hole

▪ I had my belly-button pierced.

▪ pierced ears

3.) [I,T always + adverb/preposition] literary

if sound or light pierces something, you suddenly hear or see it

▪ The darkness was pierced by the beam from the lighthouse.

▪ A sudden scream pierced the silence.

pierce through

▪ The men's lanterns pierced through the dense mist.

4.) pierce sb's heart

to make someone feel a strong emotion such as pain, sadness, or love

▪ Her memories sometimes pierced her heart.

5.) [T]

to force a way through something

▪ Leicester rarely threatened to pierce the Manchester United defence.