to enter (something) or thrust into it sharply or painfully
The thorn pierced his finger
to make a hole in or through (something)
to force or make a way into or through (something)
A light pierced the darkness
to penetrate (something) with the eye or mind; to discern
to move or affect the emotions of (somebody), esp sharply or painfully
Grief pierced his heart when he heard of his son's death
to sound sharply through (quietness, etc)
A shriek pierced the stillness of the evening
said of cold: to penetrate the clothing, body, etc of (a person)
The cold pierced them to the bone
to force a way into or through something
to penetrate
piercer noun
[Middle English percen from Old French percer, ultimately from Latin pertusus, past part. of pertundere to pierce, from per through + tundere to beat, pound]