1. (v. t.) To thrust into, penetrate, or transfix, with a pointed instrument.

2. (v. t.) 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. (v. t.) Fig.: To penetrate; to affect deeply; as, to pierce a mystery.

4. (v. i.) To enter; to penetrate; to make a way into or through something, as a pointed instrument does; -- used literally and figuratively.

abrade affect afflict aggrieve agonize ail anguish auger barb the dart bark bayonet benumb bite blemish bloody bore break broach bruise burn chafe check chill chip claw come alive come home to comprehend convulse countersink crack craze crucify cut cut up dagger descry dirk discern discover distress drill empierce excruciate fathom fester fix fracture fray frazzle freeze fret frost frostbite gain entree gall gash get into get through give pain gnaw go deep go through go through one gore gouge gouge out grasp grate grieve grind gripe harrow hole honeycomb hurt hurt the feelings impale incise inflame inflict pain injure interpenetrate irritate kill by inches knife lacerate lance maim make an entrance make mincemeat of make out make way into martyr martyrize maul melt melt the heart move mutilate needle nip numb pain pass through penetrate perceive perforate pinch pink plumb plunge in poke into poniard prick prolong the agony punch puncture put to torture rack rankle rasp realize ream ream out refrigerate rend riddle rip rouse rub run run into run through rupture saber savage scald scorch scotch scrape scratch scuff see see daylight see into see the light see through skewer skin slash slice slit smart soften spear spike spit sprain stab stick stiletto sting stir strain strike sword tap tear torment torture touch touch a chord transfix transpierce traumatize trepan trephine tweak twist twist the knife understand wound wrench wring