French word

transpercer

Pronunciation

IPA/tʁɑ̃spɛʁse/

Meaning

  • verbpierce

Example

La flèche a transpercé la cible.

The arrow pierced the target.

Illustration for transpercer (pierce)

More examples

Il m'a transpercé du regard.

He pierced me with his gaze.

Core concept

A needle or arrow enters one side of something and emerges on the other, with the same penetrating force used for a powerful emotional impact.

Common phrases

  • transpercer quelqu'un du regard

    pierce someone with one's gaze

  • transpercer le silence

    pierce the silence

Similar words

traverser: Go through a place or object to reach the far side.
piquer: Prick something lightly with a sharp point.
pénétrer: Move into an obstacle or a defined area.

Definition in French

Faire passer un objet pointu à travers quelque chose, ou, au figuré, blesser ou toucher profondément.

Word origin

French transpercer preserves trans- from Latin for 'beyond' or 'across' before percer, so its form reflects crossing through rather than merely touching a surface.

Usage tips

  • In figurative uses, transpercer sounds vivid and often violent; toucher profondément or marquer profondément is more neutral for affecting someone deeply.

Other meanings

  • penetrateverb

Opposites

Related words

  • transpercementpiercingnoun
  • transpercépiercedadjective

Word lists with this word