Meaning of punch in English

Table of contents

Verb
punch
Etymology
late Middle English (as a verb in the sense ‘puncture, prod’): variant of pounce
Definitions
1. deliver a quick blow to
Examples
- « he punched me in the stomach »
Derived terms
2. drive forcibly as if by a punch
Examples
- « the nail punched through the wall »
3. make a hole into or between, as for ease of separation
Examples
- « perforate the sheets of paper »
Derived terms
- perforation
- puncher
Noun
punch
Etymology
early 16th century: perhaps an abbreviation of puncheon, or from the verb punch
Definitions
1. (boxing) a blow with the fist
Examples
- « I gave him a clout on his nose »
Derived terms
- biff
- clout
- plug
- poke
- pommel
- pound
- pummel
- thump
2. an iced mixed drink usually containing alcohol and prepared for multiple servings
Examples
- « normally served in a punch bowl »
3. a tool for making (usually circular) holes
Derived terms
- perforate

Famous quotes

« Bad acting comes in many bags, various odors. It can be performed by cardboard refugees from an Ed Wood movie, reciting their dialogue off an eye chart, or by hopped-up pros looking to punch a hole through the fourth wall from pure ballistic force of personality, like Joe Pesci in a bad mood. I can respect bad acting that owns its own style. »
James Wolcott
« I think we're the only jokeless show on television. I mean really, we have no setups and no punch lines. It's not a joke show. There are funny lines and funny moments but again the comedy is born of the human experience and awkward pauses are a great part of what it is to be human. »
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« Any time you think you have the game conquered, the game will turn around and punch you right in the nose. »
Mike Schmidt
« My dad calls me 'Mac' a lot, from 'Mike Tyson's Punch Out' - Little Mac is the main character. I was obsessed. I can still beat Mike Tyson on 'Punch Out.' »
Mayer Hawthorne
« The devastating punch we took on September 11th still reverberates throughout American society. »
Joe Biden