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Webster's New World College Dictionary » percussion
percussion
percussion definition
per·cus·sion (pər kus̸h′ən)
noun
- the hitting or impact of one body against another, as the hammer of a firearm against a cap
- the shock, vibration, etc. resulting from this
- the percussion instruments of an orchestra, band, etc. or the players of these
- 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
Etymology: L percussio < percussus: see percuss
adjective
- 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
- composed of or for percussion instruments a percussion quartet
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