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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Pierce Definition, Usage & Key Differences (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：make a hole with a sharp object (pierce)

pierce 🔊

/pɪrs/

To make a hole in something with a sharp object, like a needle or a nail.

Pierce meaning illustrated: a sterile needle creating a hole in an earlobe.

make a hole with a sharp object 🔊

➕

/meɪk ə hoʊl wɪð ə ʃɑːrp ˈɒbdʒɪkt/

To create an opening in a material using a pointed instrument, such as a needle or nail.

📁 Category：Fashion Trends 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Old French 'percer', from Latin 'pertundere' (per- through + tundere to beat).

💡 Mnemonic

Imagine a 'pier' (dock) being 'ce'd' (pierced) by a sharp object to create a hole.

📖 Example

She decided to pierce her ears so she could wear the beautiful earrings her grandmother gave her. 🔊 She chose to have her ears pierced to wear the earrings from her grandmother.

🔗 Collocations

pierce through – to penetrate completely through something

pierce the skin – to break the surface of the skin with a sharp object

pierce with a needle – to use a needle to create a small hole

🔄 Synonyms

puncture (v.) – to make a small hole in something, often with a sharp point

penetrate (v.) – to enter or pass through something, especially with force

stab (v.) – to thrust a pointed object into something quickly

🚫 Antonyms

seal (v.) – to close something securely to prevent openings

mend (v.) – to repair a hole or tear, making it whole again

🌱 Derivatives

piercing (adj./n.) – sharp and penetrating in effect, or the act of making a hole for body jewelry

📖 Cultural Story

Originates from Latin 'pertundere', meaning to bore through. Historically used for making holes, later extended to metaphorical penetrations like light or sound in English.

Meaning 2：penetrate strongly (pierce)

pierce 🔊

/pɪrs/

For light, sound, or cold to pass through something strongly and directly.

Pierce definition example: sunlight piercing through dark storm clouds at dawn.

penetrate strongly 🔊

➕

/ˈpenɪtreɪt ˈstrɒŋli/

For elements like light, sound, or cold to pass through a barrier with force and directness, often creating a vivid effect.

📁 Category：Natural Geography 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

A single ray of sunlight managed to pierce through the thick clouds, lighting up a small patch of the dark sea below. 🔊 A beam of sunlight broke through the dense clouds, illuminating a spot on the ocean surface.

🔗 Collocations

pierce the darkness – to cut through obscurity with light or sound, making things visible or audible

pierce the silence – to interrupt a quiet environment with a sudden, sharp noise

pierce the armor – to penetrate through protective covering, often in metaphorical contexts

🔄 Synonyms

penetrate (v.) – to pass into or through something, especially with ease or force

permeate (v.) – to spread throughout something, often gradually and completely

break through (v.) – to overcome a barrier or obstacle, allowing passage

🚫 Antonyms

block (v.) – to prevent passage through something, acting as a barrier

reflect (v.) – to throw back light, sound, or heat without allowing penetration

🌱 Derivatives

piercing (adj.) – describing something that penetrates sharply, such as cold wind or a high-pitched sound