Percussion
/pɚˈkʌʃən/ noun
noun ·Moderate ·High school level
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The collision of two bodies in order to produce a sound. countable
- 2 the act of exploding a percussion cap wordnet
- 3 The sound so produced. countable
- 4 the act of playing a percussion instrument wordnet
- 5 The detonation of a percussion cap in a firearm. countable
Show 6 more definitions
- 6 tapping a part of the body for diagnostic purposes wordnet
- 7 The tapping of the body as an aid to medical diagnosis. countable, uncountable
- 8 the section of a band or orchestra that plays percussion instruments wordnet
- 9 The section of an orchestra or band containing percussion instruments; such instruments considered as a group; in bands, may be separate from drum kits. countable, uncountable
- 10 The repeated striking of an object to break or shape it, as in percussion drilling. countable, uncountable
"Moreover, a perfect Medal has its Profile and out-ſtroaks ſharp (Nummus aſper) and by no means rugged; the Figures clean and well poliſh'd; the Contours neatly trimm'd, and exactly round and carefully preſerv'd; that the Extancy and Relievos correſpond with the Ingraving, and have not ſuffer'd in Percuſſion; in all which, there is a certain Spirit of Antiquity and Excellency to be diſcern'd in Antient Medals almoſt inimitable."
- 11 The outer side of the hand. countable, uncountable
Example
More examples"Percussion gives a nice touch to the melody."
Etymology
From Middle English percussioun, from Middle French, Old French percussion, from Latin percussiō (“striking”), from percutiō (“I strike”).