Piercel
(Pier"cel) n. [Cf. F. perce.] A kind of gimlet for making vents in casks; — called also piercer.
Piercer
(Pier"cer) n.
1. One who, or that which, pierces or perforates; specifically: (a) An instrument used in forming eyelets; a
stiletto. (b) A piercel.
2. (Zoöl.) (a) The ovipositor, or sting, of an insect. (b) An insect provided with an ovipositor.
Piercing
(Pier"cing) a. Forcibly entering, or adapted to enter, at or by a point; perforating; penetrating; keen; —
used also figuratively; as, a piercing instrument, or thrust. "Piercing eloquence." Shak.
— Pier"cing*ly, adv. — Pier"cing*ness, n.
Pierian
(Pi*e"ri*an) a. [L. Pierius, from Mount Pierus, in Thessaly, sacred to the Muses.] Of or pertaining
to Pierides or Muses.
Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring.
Pope. Pierid
(Pi"er*id) n. [See Peirides.] (Zoöl.) Any butterfly of the genus Pieris and related genera. See
Cabbage butterfly, under Cabbage.
Pierides
(||Pi*er"i*des) n. pl. [L., fr. Gr. . See Pierian.] (Class. Myth.) The Muses.
Piet
(Pi"et) n. [Dim. of Pie a magpie: cf. F. piette a smew.] (Zoöl.) (a) The dipper, or water ouzel.
[Scot.] (b) The magpie. [Prov.Eng.]
Jay piet (Zoöl.), the European jay. [Prov.Eng.] — Sea piet (Zoöl.), the oyster catcher. [Prov.Eng.]
Pietà
(||Pi*e*tà") n. [It.] (Fine Arts) A representation of the dead Christ, attended by the Virgin Mary or by
holy women and angels. Mollett.
Pietism
(Pi"e*tism) n. [Cf. G. pietismus, F. piétisme.]
1. The principle or practice of the Pietists.
2. Strict devotion; also, affectation of devotion.
The Schöne Seele, that ideal of gentle pietism, in "Wilhelm Meister."
W. Pater. Pietist
(Pi"e*tist) n. [Cf. G. pietist, F. piétiste. See Piety.] (Eccl. Hist.) One of a class of religious
reformers in Germany in the 17th century who sought to revive declining piety in the Protestant churches; —
often applied as a term of reproach to those who make a display of religious feeling. Also used adjectively.
Pietistic
(Pi`e*tis"tic Pi`e*tis"tic*al) a. Of or pertaining to the Pietists; hence, in contempt, affectedly or
demonstratively religious. Addison.
Pietra dura
(||Pi*e"tra du"ra) [It., hard stone.] (Fine Arts) Hard and fine stones in general, such as are
used for inlay and the like, as distinguished from the softer stones used in building; thus, a Florentine
mosaic is a familiar instance of work in pietra dura, though the ground may be soft marble.
Piety
(Pi"e*ty) n. [F. piété; cf. It. pietà; both fr. L. pietas piety, fr. pius pious. See Pious, and cf. Pity.]
1. Veneration or reverence of the Supreme Being, and love of his character; loving obedience to the will
of God, and earnest devotion to his service.
Piety is the only proper and adequate relief of decaying man.
Rambler.
