pierced adjective Etymology: Middle English perced, from past participle of percen to pierce 1.: having holes; especially: perforated so as to form an ornamental design : decorated with perforations < beautiful creations in pierced brass — New Yorker > < porcelain with lattice-pierced borders > 2.heraldry: perforated (as a cross) with the tincture of the field showing through the hole 3.: having the earlobe punctured for an earring < pierced ears >