percuss verb. [pǝ'kʌs] M16.
[Latin percuss- pa. ppl stem of percutere strike or thrust through, formed as PER-¹ + quatere shake, strike, dash.]
1. verb trans. Strike so as to shake or give a shock to; hit, knock. M16-L17.

2. verb trans. & intrans. Medicine. Gently tap or strike (a part of the body) with the finger or an instrument, esp. for diagnostic purposes. M19.

■ percussive noun & adjective (a) noun = REPERCUSSIVE noun; (b) adjective of, pertaining to, or characterized by percussion; (of an instrument) producing sound by percussion; (of a sound) such as is produced by percussion, sharp, abrupt: LME.

■ percussively adverb L19.

■ percussiveness noun M19.

■ percussor noun an instrument or device for medical percussion L19.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲