percuss

verb

per·​cuss pər-ˈkəs 

percussed; percussing; percusses

transitive verb

: to tap sharply

especially : to practice percussion on

Word History

Etymology

Latin percussus, past participle of percutere

First Known Use

1575, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

percuss

transitive verb

per·​cuss pər-ˈkəs 

: to tap sharply

especially : to practice percussion on

percuss all four quadrants of the abdomen before starting palpation

—Herrick Peterson

intransitive verb

: to percuss a body part

percussing with the ends of our fingers over the lungs

—Robert Chawner