Emily Dickinson Lexicon

PIERCE, v.t. [Fr. percer; Gr. πειρω. The primary sense is probably to thrust or drive, and the word may be connected in origin with the W. ber or pêr, a spit, a spear, Ir. bior.]

1. To thrust into with a pointed instrument; as, to pierce the body with a sword or spear; to pierce the side with a thorn.
2. To penetrate; to enter; to force a way into; as, a column of troops pierced the main body of the enemy; a shot pierced the ship.
3. To penetrate the heart deeply; to touch the passions; to excite or affect the passions. – 1 Tim. vi.
4. To dive or penetrate into, as a secret or purpose.

PIERCE-A-BLE, a.

That may be pierced. – Spenser.

PIERC-ED, pp.

Penetrated; entered by force; transfixed.

PIERC-ER, n.

1. An instrument that pierces, penetrates or bores.
2. One that pierces or perforates.

PIERC-ING, ppr.

1. Penetrating; entering, as a pointed instrument; making a way by force into another body.
2. Affecting deeply; as, eloquence piercing the heart.
3. adj. Affecting; cutting; keen.

PIERC-ING-LY, adv.

With penetrating force or effect; sharply.

PIERC-ING-NESS, n.

The power of piercing or penetrating; sharpness; keenness. – Derham.

PIER-GLASS, n.

A mirror or glass hanging between windows.

PIER-TA-BLE, n.

A table standing between windows.

PI'E-TISM, n. [See Piety.]

Extremely strict devotion, or affectation of piety. – Frey.

PI'E-TIST, n.

One of a sect professing great strictness and purity of life, despising learning, school theology and ecclesiastical polity, as also forms and ceremonies in religion, and giving themselves up to mystic theology. This sect sprung up among the Protestants of Germany, in the latter part of the seventeenth century. – Encyc. Burnet.

PI-E-TIS'TIC, a.

Pertaining to the Pietists.

PI'ET-Y, n. [L. pietas, from pius, or its root, probably a contracted word; Fr. pieté; It. pietà, piety, and pity; Sp. piedad, piety, pity, charity.]

1. Piety in principle, is a compound of veneration or reverence of the Supreme Being and love of his character, or veneration accompanied with love; and piety in practice, is the exercise of these affections in obedience to his will and devotion to his service. Piety is the only proper and adequate relief of decaying man. – Rambler.
2. Reverence of parents or friends, accompanied with affection and devotion to their honor and happiness.

PI-E-ZOM'E-TER, n. [Gr. πιεζω, to press, and μετρον, measure.]

An instrument for ascertaining the compressibility of water, and the degree of such compressibility under any given weight. – Perkins.

PIG, n. [D. big. In Sax. piga, Dan. pige, is a little girl; Sw. piga, a maid servant. The word signifies a little one, or issue.]

1. The young of swine, male or female.
2. An oblong mass of unforged iron, lead or other metal. A pig of lead is the eighth of a fother, or 250 pounds. – Encyc.

PIG, v.t. [or v. i.]

To bring forth pigs.

PIG'EON, n. [Fr. id.; It. piccione. This word seems to belong to the family of pick, peck, pie, pica.]

A gallinaceous fowl of the genus Columba, of several species, as the stock dove, the ring dove, the turtle dove, and the migratory or wild pigeon of America. The domestic pigeon breeds in a box, often attached to a building, called a dovecot or pigeon-house. The wild pigeon builds a nest on a tree in the forest.

PIG'EON-FOOT, n.

A plant. – Ainsworth.

PIG'EON-HEART-ED, a.

Timid; easily frightened. – Beaum.

PIG'EON-HOLE, n.

A little apartment or division in a case for papers.

PIG'EON-HOLES, n.

An old English game in which balls were rolled through little cavities or arches. – Stevens.

PIG'EON-LIV-ER-ED, a.

Mild in temper; soft; gentle. – Shak.

PIG'EON-PEA, n.

A plant of the genus Cytisus.

PIG'GE-RY, n.

A pen or inclosure for pigs. – Qu. Rev.

PIG'GIN, n. [Scot. a milking pail.]

A small wooden vessel with an erect handle, used as a dipper.