percuss

[ per-kuhs ]

verb (used with object)

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

verb (used without object)

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

percuss

/ pəˈkʌs /

verb

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

Derived Forms

• perˈcussor, noun

Other Words From

• unper·cussed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of percuss¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of percuss¹

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

Example Sentences

Some find it easier to percuss the dullness due to the heart in this way than by mediate percussion.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• blip
• blow
• pat
• punch
• whack