punch
punch (punc̸h)
noun
- a tool driven or pressed against a surface that is to be stamped, pierced, etc.
- a tool driven against a nail, bolt, etc. that is to be worked in, or against a pin that is to be worked out
- a device or machine for making holes, cuts, etc. a paper punch
- the hole, cut, etc. made with a punch
Etymology: prob. < var. of ponchon: see puncheon
transitive verb
- to pierce, shape, stamp, cut, etc. with a punch
- to make (a hole, cut, etc.) with or as with a punch
punch (punc̸h)
transitive verb
- to prod or poke with a stick
- ☆ to herd or drive (cattle)
- to strike with the fist
- to depress or push (a push button, a key on a keypad, etc.)
Etymology: ME punchen, orig. var. of pouncen (see pounce): infl. by punch
noun
- a thrusting blow with the fist
- ☆ Informal effective force; vigor
beat to the punch
pull one's punches
Informal- Boxing to deliver blows that are intentionally ineffective
- to attack, criticize, etc. in an intentionally ineffective manner
punch a (time) clock
☆punch in
- ☆ to record the time of one's arrival by means of a time clock
- to feed (data) as into a computer by pressing buttons or keys
punch out
- ☆ to record the time of one's departure by means of a time clock
- Slang to beat up
punch up
- Brit., Informal to beat up
- Informal to enhance, accentuate, or heighten the effect of to punch up a dish with spices
punch (punc̸h)
noun
Etymology: Hindi pañca, five < Sans páñca (see five): it orig. consisted of five ingredients
Punch (punc̸h)
noun
Etymology: contr. after Punchinello, earlier Polichinello, a character in a Neapolitan puppet play < It Pulcinella < VL *pullicinus < LL pullicenus, young chicken, dim. of L pullus: see poultry
pleased as Punch
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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