percuss

[ per-kuhs ]
/ pərˈkʌs /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR percuss ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

Medicine/Medical. to strike or tap for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.
to strike (something) so as to shake or cause a shock to.

verb (used without object)

Medicine/Medical. to strike the surface of a part of the body for diagnostic purposes.

Origin of percuss

1550–60; < Latin percussus, past participle of percutere to strike hard, beat, equivalent to per- per- + -cut(ere), combining form of quatere to shake (see quash) + -tus past participle suffix, with tt > ss

OTHER WORDS FROM percuss

un·per·cussed, adjective

Words nearby percuss

percoid, percolate, percolation, percolator, percurrent, percuss, percussion, percussion cap, percussion flaking, percussion instrument, percussion lock

Words related to percuss

blow, blip, pat, punch, whack, knock, crash, pummel, beat, drive, collide, smack, touch, force, handle, lick, rub, tap, reach, feel

Example sentences from the Web for percuss

British Dictionary definitions for percuss

percuss
/ (pəˈkʌs) /

verb (tr)

to strike sharply, rapidly, or suddenly
med to tap on (a body surface) with the fingertips or a special hammer to aid diagnosis or for therapeutic purposes

Derived forms of percuss

percussor, noun

Word Origin for percuss

C16: from Latin percutere, from per- through + quatere to shake

Medical definitions for percuss

percuss
[ pər-kŭs′ ]

v.

To strike or tap firmly; perform percussion.