Piercer

Pierce  (pîrs), Franklin 1804-1869.

The 14th President of the United States (1853-1857). He was unable to reconcile the issue of slavery that divided the United States.

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pierce  (pîrs)

v. pierced, pierc·ing, pierc·es

v.tr.

1. To cut or pass through with or as if with a sharp instrument; stab or penetrate.

2. To make a hole or opening in; perforate.

3. To make a way through: The path pierced the wilderness.

4. To sound sharply through: His shout pierced the din.

5. To succeed in penetrating (something) with the eyes or the intellect: Large glowing yellow eyes pierced the darkness.

v.intr.

To penetrate into or through something: The rocket pierced through space.

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[Middle English percen, from Old French percer, probably from Vulgar Latin *pertsire, from Latin pertsus, past participle of pertundere, to bore through : per-, per- + tundere, to beat.]

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piercer n.

piercing adj.

piercing·ly adv.