Punch

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -ÊŒntʃ

From Middle English punchen, partially from Old French ponchonner ("to punch"), from ponchon ("pointed tool"), from Latin punctus, perfect passive participle of pungō ("I prick"); and partially from Middle English punchen, a syncopated variant of Middle English punischen ("to punish"; see punish). Also influenced by Middle English punchon ("a punch"; see puncheon).

Full definition of punch

Noun

1. (countable) A hit or strike with one's fist.
• 2011, November 3, Chris Bevan, Rubin Kazan 1 - 0 Tottenham, Another Karadeniz cross led to Cudicini's first save of the night, with the Spurs keeper making up for a weak punch by brilliantly pushing away Christian Noboa's snap-shot.
2. (uncountable) Power, strength, energy.
3. (uncountable) Impact.
4. (countable) A button (of a joypad, joystick or similar device) whose only or main current function is that when it is pressed causes a video game character to punch.

Synonyms

• (A strike with the fist) box, bunch of fives (UK)
• (Power, strength) oomph, pep

Hyponyms

• (A strike with the fist) jab, hook, uppercut, pounding

Derived terms

Verb

1. (transitive) To strike with one's fist.If she punches me, I'm gonna break her nose.
2. (transitive, of cattle) To herd.
3. (transitive) To operate (a device or system) by depressing a button, key, bar, or pedal, or by similar means.
• 1922, As night watchman he was required to punch a watchman's clock; the stations were scattered all over the place.
• 2000, William D. Peterson, United States Life-Saving Service in Michigan, The patrol clock and punch key system made sure that crewmen completed their patrols. At the far end of his patrol, he used a key to punch his clock and start the return trip.
• 2007, Dick Juge, The Historic Northwest Passage and the CGC Storis, Another shipmate remembered the watch clock on the strap we had to carry to punching stations. He was assigned to a guard shack. He had rounds to the Officer's Club and sleeping quarters where he'd have to punch the clock at different stations.
4. (transitive) To enter (information) on a device or system.
5. (transitive) To hit (a ball or similar object) with less than full force.He punched a hit into shallow left field.
6. (transitive) To make holes in something rail ticket, leather belt, etc
7. To thrust against; to poke.to punch one with the end of a stick or the elbow

Synonyms

• (To strike with the fist) box

Derived terms

Shortened form of puncheon, from Old French ponchon ("pointed tool"), from Latin punctus, perfect passive participle of pungō ("I prick").

Noun

1. (countable) A device, generally slender and round, used for creating holes in thin material, for driving an object through a hole in a containing object, or to stamp or emboss a mark or design on a surface.
2. (countable) A mechanism for punching holes in paper or other thin material.
3. (countable) A hole or opening created with a punch
4. (piledriving) An extension piece applied to the top of a pile; a dolly.
5. A prop, as for the roof of a mine.

Verb

1. To employ a punch to create a hole in or stamp or emboss a mark on something.
2. To mark a ticket.

Hypernyms

• (to create a hole) perforate, pierce

Derived terms

From Hindi पाँच (pāñć, "five"), because of the drink's original five ingredients (spirits, water, lemon juice, sugar, and spice), from Sanskrit पञ्चन्.

Noun

1. (uncountable) A beverage, generally containing a mixture of fruit juice and some other beverage, often alcoholic.