Pierce Meaning
/pɪɹs/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
verbTo puncture; to break through.
verbTo create a hole in the skin for the purpose of inserting jewelry.
Sentence Examples
Pierce was elected in 1852.
Pierce wanted to run for re-election.
Pierce whatever ear you want. It doesn't mean you're gay.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The sharp needle will ____ the thin fabric, making a tiny hole.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The needle was sharp enough to ____ the thick leather without any difficulty.
Word Origin & History
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”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"I pierce her open back, or tender side"
— 1700, [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:
"pierced with grief"
— 1715–1720, 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:
"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:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The sharp needle will ____ the thin fabric, making a tiny hole.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The needle was sharp enough to ____ the thick leather without any difficulty.