percuss Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb strike or tap firmly
    • the doctor percussed his chest and back

WordNet

Per*cuss" transitive verb
Etymology
L. percussus, p.p. of percutere; per + quatere to shake, strike. See Quash.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Percussed ; present participle & verbal noun Percussing
Definitions
  1. To strike smartly; to strike upon or against; as, to percuss the chest in medical examination.
    Flame percussed by air giveth a noise. Bacon.
Per*cuss" intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. (Med.) To strike or tap in an examination by percussion. See Percussion, 3. Quain.

Webster 1913