pierce vs prick

pierce is not a noun while prick is a noun.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
pierce	No	No	Yes	No
prick	Yes	No	Yes	No

As verbs, prick is a hyponym of pierce; that is, prick is a word with a more specific, narrower meaning than pierce:

Other hyponyms of pierce include poke, puncture, riddle, prickle, bite, perforate, punch, bite, sting, tap.

pierce (noun)	prick (noun)
	the act of puncturing with a small point
	obscene terms for penis
	insulting terms of address for people who are stupid or irritating or ridiculous
	a depression scratched or carved into a surface

pierce (verb)	prick (verb)
make a hole into	make a small hole into, as with a needle or a thorn
penetrate or cut through with a sharp instrument	deliver a sting to
cut or make a way through	stab or urge on as if with a pointed stick
move or affect (a person's emotions or bodily feelings) deeply or sharply	to cause a sharp emotional pain
sound sharply or shrilly	to stick up
	cause a stinging pain
	cause a prickling sensation