pierce

Etymology 1

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”).

verb

1. (transitive) To puncture; to break through.
   The diver pierced the surface of the water with scarcely a splash.
   to pierce the enemy's line; a shot pierced the ship
2. (transitive) To create a hole in the skin for the purpose of inserting jewelry.
   Can you believe he pierced his tongue?
3. (transitive) to break or interrupt abruptly
   A scream pierced the silence.
4. (transitive, figurative) To get to the heart or crux of (a matter).
   to pierce a mystery
5. (transitive, figurative) To penetrate; to affect deeply.
   The flatness of the landscape facilitates views right across the Firth of Forth to Fife, before the railway begins to pierce the Edinburgh suburbs. November 30 2022, Paul Bigland, “Destination Oban: a Sunday in Scotland”, in RAIL, number 971, page 75

Etymology 2

Borrowed from Japanese ピアス (piasu, “pierced earring”), itself from English pierce.

noun

1. (Japan) A pierced earring.