(a) To pierce, stab; pierce (sb., a part of the body, shield, etc.), usu. with a sharp weapon, nail, etc.; ppl. thirled, pierced; (b) fig. and in fig. contexts; thirlinge wordes; (c) to bore (through or into sth.), tunnel; bore a hole; make a hole in (sth.), bore through (sth.), perforate; tunnel through (a hill), drill (sth.); also fig.; ~ oute, hollow out (a stone), wear a hole in; ben thirled, be perforated; also, of the uvea: be furnished with an opening; ppl. thirled, bored through, perforated; also, of bones: fretted; of a stone: having a hole through it; (d) to transfix (sb., the feet, or the hands to a cross); (e) anat. of a bone: to extend or project (into another bone to form an interlocking joint); of a wound: extend (under the skull).

(a) To proceed (into or through a place), penetrate a region; penetrate (sth., the skin, a boundary, an area, etc.), go into; also fig.; also in proverbs or prov. sayings; with adv.: ~ thurgh, break through (through an enemy's lines) [quot. a1470]; (b) to enter and become diffused, permeate (into sth.); permeate (the body, a bodily member, etc.); also fig.; ppl. thirlinge, permeating.

(a) To make a thrusting motion; ~ in (in-to), thrust (a spear, a thorn) into (a part of the body); (b) to move rapidly, rush; also, fall suddenly; ~ doun.

To affect (sb., the heart) with a sudden wave of emotion, move deeply.

In surnames.