percussion

Percussion is defined as the hitting of one thing against another or its impact, or a type of instrument played by striking or shaking it.

(noun)

  1. An example of a percussion is a car striking a tree.
  2. An example of a percussion is a drum.

The definition of percussion is an instrument played by striking or shaking, or something made for such instruments.

(adjective)

An example of percussion used as an adjective is in the phrase "percussion solo," which means a solo made for a drum.

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See percussion in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

  1. the hitting or impact of one body against another, as the hammer of a firearm against a cap
  2. the shock, vibration, etc. resulting from this
  3. the percussion instruments of an orchestra, band, etc. or the players of these
  4. Med. the striking or tapping of the chest, back, etc. with the fingertips so as to determine from the sound produced the condition of internal organs

Origin: L percussio < percussus: see percuss

adjective

  1. designating a musical instrument in which the tone or sound is produced when some part of it is struck, as a drum, or shaken, as a tambourine or a maraca
  2. composed of or for percussion instruments: a percussion quartet

See percussion in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. The striking together of two bodies, especially when noise is produced.
  2. The sound, vibration, or shock caused by the striking together of two bodies.
  3. The act of detonating a percussion cap in a firearm.
  4. A method of medical diagnosis in which various areas of the body, especially the chest, back, and abdomen, are tapped to determine by resonance the condition of internal organs.
  5. Music
    a. The section of a band or orchestra composed of percussion instruments.
    b. Percussion instruments or their players considered as a group.

Origin:

Origin: Latin percussiō, percussiōn-

Origin: , from percussus

Origin: , past participle of percutere, to percuss; see percuss

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