perforate

American  

[pur-fuh-reyt, pur-fer-it, -fuh-reyt] / ˈpɜr fəˌreɪt, ˈpɜr fər ɪt, -fəˌreɪt /

verb (used with object)

perforated, perforating

1. to make a hole or holes through by boring, punching, piercing, or the like.

2. to pierce through or to the interior of; penetrate.

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verb (used without object)

perforated, perforating

1. to make a way through or into something; penetrate.

adjective

1. perforated.

perforate British  

/ ˈpɜːfərəbəl /

verb

1. to make a hole or holes in (something); penetrate

2. (tr) to punch rows of holes between (stamps, coupons, etc) for ease of separation

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adjective

1. biology

   1. pierced by small holes

      perforate shells

   2. marked with small transparent spots

2. philately another word for perforated

Other Word Forms

• multiperforate adjective
• nonperforating adjective
• perforable adjective
• perforative adjective
• perforator noun
• unperforable adjective
• unperforating adjective
• unperforative adjective

Etymology

Origin of perforate

1530–40; < Latin perforātus, past participle of perforāre to bore ² through; per-

Example Sentences

One entered his torso and flew upward, fragmenting and perforating his chest muscle, which bruised his lungs and created a cluster of three large exit wounds.

From Washington Post

They are also capable of bursting ear drums and perforating bowels.

From BBC

It was an image of a computer printout with perforated holes along both sides.

From Seattle Times

He found his pant leg perforated, he said, but did not see any punctures or blood on the skin around his calf and ankles.

From Washington Post

In testimony last week, Associate King County Medical Examiner Dr. Brian Mazrim testified that Butts suffered 11 gunshot wounds that struck his lungs, bruised his heart, shattered his spine and perforated his stomach and pancreas.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• puncture