Etymology From Middle English perce, from conjugated forms of Old French percier such as (jeo) pierce (“I pierce”), probably from Vulgar Latin *pertūsiō, from Latin pertūsus, past participle of pertundō (“thrust or bore through”), from per- (“through”) + tundō (“beat, pound”). Displaced native Old English þȳrlian (literally “to hole”).
1
To puncture; to break through.
The diver pierced the surface of the water with scarcely a splash.
to pierce the enemy's line
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A shot pierced the ship.
I pierce her open back, or tender side1700, [John] Dryden, “Theodore and Honoria, from Boccace”, in Fables Ancient and Modern; […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC:
What appliance can pierce through the outer layers of a star and test the conditions within?1926, A[rthur] [S]tanley Eddington, “Survey of the Problem”, in The Internal Constitution of the Stars, page 1:
2
To create a hole in the skin for the purpose of inserting jewelry.
Can you believe he pierced his tongue?
3
to break or interrupt abruptly
A dreadful scream pierced the silence.
4
Figuratively To get to the heart or crux of (a matter).
pierced with grief1715–1720, Homer, translated by Alexander Pope, “Book XI”, in The Iliad of Homer, volume (please specify |volume=I to VI), London: […] W[illiam] Bowyer, for Bernard Lintott […], →OCLC:
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Can no prayers pierce thee?c. 1596–1598 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Merchant of Venice”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene i]:
The flatness of the landscape facilitates views right across the Firth of Forth to Fife, before the railway begins to pierce the Edinburgh suburbs.2022 November 30, Paul Bigland, “Destination Oban: a Sunday in Scotland”, in RAIL, number 971, page 75:
Etymology From Middle English perce, from conjugated forms of Old French percier such as (jeo) pierce (“I pierce”), probably from Vulgar Latin *pertūsiō, from Latin pertūsus, past participle of pertundō (“thrust or bore through”), from per- (“through”) + tundō (“beat, pound”). Displaced native Old English þȳrlian (literally “to hole”).
Actually, a navel pierce beautificates any feminine form, as I'm sure it does for you...1997 June 18, ROBERT W. MONTCALM, “Naval piercing for men.”, in rec.arts.bodyart (Usenet), archived from the original on 02 Jul 2026:
When I was considering a tongue pierce, I had to find out as much as I could about it.1998 March 20, dssyenon (Ted Liu), “ Oh God, My Nephew Wants a Tongue Ring !”, in alt.health (Usenet), archived from the original on 02 Jul 2026:
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Hello , I already have a lip pierce (ring) and want to get another one on the other side of my lip.1998 June 30, jawhar, “dual lip pierce”, in rec.arts.bodyart (Usenet), archived from the original on 02 Jul 2026:
I've had other employees with piercings and I've dealt with them accordingly. One had a lip pierce, the other a nose pierce. The first was a summer hire and very agreeable to removing the pierce while at the center. The latter has been with us for almost two years, and when she came in one day with the nose pierce, probably forgetting to remove it before arrival, all I had to do was quietly talk to her -- nothing formal or threatening, just a reminder -- and the piercing disappeared.1999 February 21, Mariann T. Woodward, “Staff and Body Piercing”, in alt.childcare (Usenet), archived from the original on 02 Jul 2026:
pierce
noun
Etymology Borrowed from Japanese ピアス (piasu, “pierced earring”), itself from English pierce.