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Broach vs Pierce - What's the difference?

broach | pierce |

As a verb broach

is to broach.

As a proper noun pierce is

, medieval variant of piers modern usage may also derive from the surname.

broach

English

Etymology 1

(etyl) broche, from

Noun

(es)
  • A series of chisel points mounted on one piece of steel. (rfex)
  • (masonry) A broad chisel for stone-cutting.
  • A spit for cooking food.
  • * Francis Bacon
    • He turned a broach that had worn a crown.
  • An awl; a bodkin; also, a wooden rod or pin, sharpened at each end, used by thatchers.
    • (Forby)
  • (architecture, UK, dialect) A spire rising from a tower.
  • A spit-like start on the head of a young stag.
  • The stick from which candle wicks are suspended for dipping.
    • (Knight)
  • The pin in a lock which enters the barrel of the key.

    • Verb

    (es)
  • To make a hole in, especially a cask of liquor, and put in a tap in order to draw the liquid.
  • To open, to make an opening into; to pierce.
    • French knights at Agincourt were unable to broach the English line.
  • (senseid) (figuratively) To begin discussion about (something).
    • I broached the subject of contraceptives carefully when the teenager mentioned his promiscuity.
  • * 1913 ,
    • Yet he was much too much scared of broaching any man, let alone one in a peaked cap, to dare to ask.
  • * 1918 , (Edgar Rice Burroughs), Chapter VI
    • I have tried on several occasions to broach the subject of my love to Lys; but she will not listen.
    Related terms
    *

    Etymology 2

    (en)

    Verb

    (es)
  • To be turned sideways to oncoming waves, especially large or breaking waves.
    • The small boat broached and nearly sank, because of the large waves.
  • To cause to turn sideways to oncoming waves, especially large or breaking waves.
  • To be overcome or submerged by a wave or surge of water.
    • Each time we came around into the wind, the sea broached our bow.

    References

    English terms with multiple etymologies

    pierce

    English

    Verb

  • to puncture; to break through
    • The diver pierced the surface of the water with scarcely a splash.
    to pierce''' the enemy's line; a shot '''pierced the ship
  • * Dryden
    • I pierce her tender side.
  • to create a hole in the skin for the purpose of inserting jewelry
    • Can you believe he pierced his tongue?
  • to break or interrupt abruptly
    • A scream pierced the darkness.
  • (figurative) To penetrate; to affect deeply.
    • to pierce a mystery
  • * Alexander Pope
    • pierced with grief
  • * Shakespeare
    • Can no prayers pierce thee?

    Derived terms

    * piercing

    Descendants

    * Japanese:

    Anagrams

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