Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Pierce \Pierce\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Pierced}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Piercing}.] [OE. percen, F. percer, OF. percier, perchier,
   parchier; perh. fr. (assumed) LL. pertusiare for pertusare,
   fr. L. pertundere, pertusum, to beat, push, bore through; per
   through + tundere to beat: cf. OF. pertuisier to pierce, F.
   pertuis a hole. Cf. {Contuse}, {Parch}, {Pertuse}.]
   1. To thrust into, penetrate, or transfix, with a pointed
      instrument. ``I pierce . . . her tender side.'' --Dryden.

   2. 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. Fig.: To penetrate; to affect deeply; as, to pierce a
      mystery. ``Pierced with grief.'' --Pope.

            Can no prayers pierce thee?           --Shak.

Piercing \Pier"cing\, a.
   Forcibly entering, or adapted to enter, at or by a point;
   perforating; penetrating; keen; -- used also figuratively;
   as, a piercing instrument, or thrust. ``Piercing eloquence.''
   --Shak. -- {Pier"cing*ly}, adv. -- {Pier"cing*ness}, n.

Source : WordNet®

piercing
     adj 1: having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine
            distinctions; "an acute observer of politics and
            politicians"; "incisive comments"; "icy knifelike
            reasoning"; "as sharp and incisive as the stroke of a
            fang"; "penetrating insight"; "frequent penetrative
            observations" [syn: {acute}, {discriminating}, {incisive},
             {keen}, {knifelike}, {penetrating}, {penetrative}, {sharp}]
     2: high-pitched and sharp; "piercing screams"; "a shrill
        whistle" [syn: {shrill}, {sharp}]
     3: as physically painful as if caused by a sharp instrument; "a
        cutting wind"; "keen winds"; "knifelike cold"; "piercing
        knifelike pains"; "piercing cold"; "piercing criticism";
        "a stabbing pain"; "lancinating pain" [syn: {cutting}, {keen},
         {knifelike}, {stabbing}, {lancinate}, {lancinating}]
     4: suitable for cutting or piercing; "incisive teeth"; "the
        piercing needle" [syn: {incisive}]
     5: loud and sharp; "the piercing shriek of sirens"