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punch

UK/pʌnt͡ʃ/ US/pʌnʃ/ common slang uk
verb (3) noun (3)

verb

1.

deliver a quick blow to

  • “he punched me in the stomach”
Synonyms
2.

drive forcibly as if by a punch

  • “the nail punched through the wall”
3.

make a hole into or between, as for ease of separation

  • “perforate the sheets of paper”
Synonyms

noun

1.

(boxing) a blow with the fist

  • “I gave him a clout on his nose”
Synonyms
2.

an iced mixed drink usually containing alcohol and prepared for multiple servings; normally served in a punch bowl

3.

a tool for making (usually circular) holes

Synonyms

Origin

From Middle English punchen, partially from Old French ponchonner (“to punch”), from ponchon (“pointed tool”), from Latin punctio, from punctus, perfect passive participle of pungō (“I prick”); and partially from Middle English punchen, a syncopated variant of punischen ("to punish"; see punish). Also influenced by Middle English punchon ("a punch"; see puncheon). Compare also Middle English bunchen, bonchen (“to punch, deliver a blow, pound, beat”).

Phrases

  • 1-2 punch
  • air punch
  • beat somebody to the punch
  • beat to the punch
  • bell punch
  • button punch
  • caddy ole punch
  • card punch
  • center punch
  • centre punch
  • hole punch
  • nail punch

Related words

Word family

Broader terms

Narrower terms

WordNet 2.1 (Princeton University). Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). CMU Pronouncing Dictionary. WordNet 2.1 Copyright Princeton University. All rights reserved. Wiktionary content is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike Licence.