English edit

Etymology edit

From Middle English percussioun, from Middle French, Old French percussion, from Latin percussiō (striking), from percutiō (I strike).

Pronunciation edit

Noun edit

percussion (countable and uncountable, plural percussions)

  1. (countable) The collision of two bodies in order to produce a sound.
  2. (countable) The sound so produced.
  3. (countable) The detonation of a percussion cap in a firearm.
  4. (medicine) The tapping of the body as an aid to medical diagnosis.
  5. (music) The section of an orchestra or band containing percussion instruments; such instruments considered as a group; in bands, may be separate from drum kits.
  6. (engineering) The repeated striking of an object to break or shape it, as in percussion drilling.
    • 1697, J[ohn] Evelyn, “Instructions How to Collect, and Procure such Medals as are Antique, and Rare; and to Distinguish the True from the False, for the Prevention of Frauds and Impostures”, in Numismata. A Discourse of Medals, Antient and Modern. [], London: [] Benj[amin] Tooke [], →OCLC, page 201:
      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.
  7. (palmistry) The outer side of the hand.

Derived terms edit

Related terms edit

Translations edit

Anagrams edit

French edit

Etymology edit

From Latin percussiōnem.

Pronunciation edit

Noun edit

percussion f (plural percussions)

  1. percussion (tapping of the body)
  2. (music) percussion

Descendants edit

  • Turkish: perküsyon

Further reading edit