[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/pierce/)

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# pierce

verb (pierce, pierces, pierced, piercing)

«pierce» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. To make a hole in or through something with a sharp point: "The needle pierced the cloth." [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/pierce/#m1)
2. To have a hole made in a body part to wear jewellery: "She had her ears pierced." [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/pierce/#m2)
3. (of light, sound or cold) To suddenly go through something: "A scream pierced the silence." [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/pierce/#m3)
4. (piercing, adjective) Very loud and high, very sharp, or very cold; piercing eyes seem to look right through you. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/pierce/#m4)

### In the lessons

In everyday life, ear piercing is common; hygiene and permission matter. In stories, an arrow pierces armour, light pierces the darkness, a cry pierces the night. In science, sharp objects pierce materials because the force is on a tiny area (high pressure).

### Examples

- The arrow pierced the target. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/pierce/#x1)
- She got her ears pierced for her birthday. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/pierce/#x2)
- A whistle pierced the air. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/pierce/#x3)
- Sunlight pierced the clouds. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/pierce/#x4)
- A thorn pierced his finger. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/pierce/#x5)
- The wind was piercing on the hill. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/pierce/#x6)
- Her piercing blue eyes stared at me. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/pierce/#x7)
- Immediately afterward they heard a sharp, piercing cry. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/pierce/#x8)

### Note

Regular verb; spelling "ie" (i before e). Noun: piercing (a hole for jewellery, or the jewellery). Safety: sharp objects can pierce skin; carry scissors pointing down.

## In Jewish tradition

To stab or make a hole through something. The prophets and Job use it for God piercing the dragon or the serpent, great sea monsters that stand for chaos and evil powers.

**Interpretation.** Tradition reads these verses as pictures of God's power over the forces of chaos, including the story of the Red Sea.

### Examples

- Art thou not it that hewed Rahab in pieces, that pierced the dragon? (Prophets ISA.51.9, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/pierce/#x1)
- By His breath the heavens are serene; His hand hath pierced the slant serpent. (Writings JOB.26.13, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/pierce/#x2)
- Shall any take him by his eyes, or pierce through his nose with a snare? (Writings JOB.40.24, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/pierce/#x3)

### Note

Regular verb; spelling "ie" (i before e). Noun: piercing (a hole for jewellery, or the jewellery). Safety: sharp objects can pierce skin; carry scissors pointing down.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «pierce» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/pierce/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«pierce» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/pierce.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «pierce» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/pierce/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«pierce» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/pierce.html) on Mova free.