percussion

[ per-kuhsh-uh n ]
/ pərˈkʌʃ ən /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR percussion ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

Origin of percussion

1535–45; < Latin percussiōn- (stem of percussiō) a beating. See percuss, -ion

OTHER WORDS FROM percussion

per·cus·sion·al, adjective

Words nearby percussion

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

Words related to percussion

blow, sound, impact, shock, jolt, collision

Example sentences from the Web for percussion

British Dictionary definitions for percussion

percussion
/ (pəˈkʌʃən) /

noun

the act, an instance, or an effect of percussing
music the family of instruments in which sound arises from the striking of materials with sticks, hammers, or the hands
music
  1. instruments of this family constituting a section of an orchestra, band, etc
  2. (as modifier)a percussion ensemble
med the act of percussing a body surface
the act of exploding a percussion cap

Word Origin for percussion

C16: from Latin percussiō, from percutere to hit; see percuss

Medical definitions for percussion

percussion
[ pər-kŭsh′ən ]

n.

A method of medical diagnosis in which various areas of the body, especially the chest, back, and abdomen, are tapped with the finger or a plexor to determine by resonance the condition of internal organs.

Cultural definitions for percussion

percussion

A family of musical instruments played by striking their surfaces. Percussion instruments are used to accentuate and dramatize certain notes or rhythms and include instruments such as cymbals, drums, triangles, and xylophones. (See kettledrum, snare drum, and orchestra.)