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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Pierce \Pierce\, verb (used with an object) [imp. & p. p. {Pierced}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Piercing}.] [OE. percen, F. percer, OF. percier, perchier, parchier; perh. fr. (assumed) LL. pertusiare for pertusare, fr. L. pertundere, pertusum, to beat, push, bore through; per through + tundere to beat: cf. OF. pertuisier to pierce, F. pertuis a hole. Cf. {Contuse}, {Parch}, {Pertuse}.]
1. To thrust into, penetrate, or transfix, with a pointed instrument. ''I pierce . . . her tender side.'' --Dryden.
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. ''Pierced with grief.'' --Pope.
Can no prayers pierce thee? --Shak.
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Pierced \Pierced\, adjective Penetrated; entered; perforated.
From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:
pierced
adjective: having a hole cut through; "pierced ears"; "a perforated eardrum"; "a punctured balloon" [syn: {perforated}, {perforate}, {punctured}]
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