pierce in WordNet English dictionary

1. make a hole into
   "The needle pierced her flesh"
   pierce 
   
2. penetrate or cut through with a sharp instrument
   pierce  thrust 
   
3. cut or make a way through
   "the knife cut through the flesh"; "The path pierced the jungle"; "Light pierced through the forest"
   pierce 
   
4. move or affect (a person's emotions or bodily feelings) deeply or sharply
   "The cold pierced her bones"; "Her words pierced the students"
   pierce 
   
5. sound sharply or shrilly
   "The scream pierced the night"
   pierce