punch

I. noun Etymology: Middle English pounce, punche, probably alteration of ponson, ponchon puncheon Date: 14th century 1. a. a tool usually in the form of a short rod of steel that is variously shaped at one end for different operations (as forming, perforating, embossing, or cutting) b. a short tapering steel rod for driving the heads of nails below a surface c. a steel die faced with a letter in relief that is forced into a softer metal to form an intaglio matrix from which foundry type is cast d. a device or machine for cutting holes or notches (as in paper or cardboard) 2. a hole or notch from a perforating operation II. verb Etymology: Middle English pouncen, punchen to emboss, pierce, probably from pounce, noun Date: 14th century transitive verb 1. a. prod, poke b. drive, herd <

punching cattle

> 2. a. to strike with a forward thrust especially of the fist b. to drive or push forcibly by or as if by a punch c. to hit (a ball) with less than a full swing 3. to emboss, cut, perforate, or make with or as if with a punch 4. a. to push down so as to produce a desired result <

punch buttons on a jukebox

> b. to hit or press down the operating mechanism of <

punch a typewriter

> c. to insert a time card into (a time clock) d. to produce by or as if by punching keys <

punch out a tune on the piano

> e. to enter (as data) by punching keys 5. to give emphasis to intransitive verb 1. to perform the action of punching something 2. to move or push forward especially by a sudden forceful effort <

punched into enemy territory

> • puncher noun III. noun Date: 14th century 1. the action of punching 2. a quick blow with or as if with the fist 3. effective energy or forcefulness <

a story that packs a punch

> <

political punch

> • punchless adjective IV. noun Etymology: perhaps from Hindi & Urdu pẵc five, from Sanskrit pañca; akin to Greek pente five; from its originally having five ingredients — more at five Date: 1632 a hot or cold drink that is usually a combination of hard liquor, wine, or beer and nonalcoholic beverages; also a drink that is a mixture of nonalcoholic beverages