Definition

1. Noun:
   • The act of striking one object against another sharply: This refers to the action of hitting or tapping something to produce a sound or impact.
   • The section of a band or orchestra comprising instruments that are played by striking: This refers to the group of musicians who play instruments like drums, cymbals, or xylophones.
   • A medical diagnostic technique involving tapping on a body part: This is a method used by doctors to assess the condition of internal organs by listening to the sound produced by tapping.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The percussion of the drums was deafening. (The sound produced by striking the drums was extremely loud.)
  • She plays percussion in the school orchestra. (She is a musician in the section of the orchestra that plays struck instruments.)
  • The doctor used percussion to examine the patient's chest. (The doctor used the technique of tapping to check the patient's lungs.)

Advanced Usage

• "Percussion cap": A small explosive device used in old firearms, ignited by the percussion (strike) of the hammer.

  • The invention of the percussion cap made rifles more reliable.

• "Percussion instrument": Any musical instrument that produces sound by being struck, shaken, or scraped.

  • The timpani is a key percussion instrument in a symphony orchestra.

Variants and Related Words

• Percussive (adj): Relating to or producing a sound by being struck.

  • The music had a strong, percussive rhythm.

• Percussionist (n): A musician who plays percussion instruments.

  • The percussionist performed a complex solo on the marimba.

Synonyms

• Impact: The action of one object forcibly coming into contact with another.
• Striking: Hitting something sharply.
• Drumming: Playing drums; a repeated beating sound.

Related Phrases

• "Percussion section": The group of percussion players in an ensemble.

  • The percussion section kept the band's tempo steady.

• "Percussion drill": A power tool that hammers as it rotates, used for drilling into hard materials.

  • He used a percussion drill to make holes in the concrete wall.

Related Idioms

• "To be a percussion instrument" (figurative): To be subjected to repeated impacts or criticisms.
  • During the debate, the candidate felt like a percussion instrument under the barrage of questions.

Noun

1. tapping a part of the body for diagnostic purposes
2. the section of a band or orchestra that plays percussion instruments
3. the act of exploding a percussion cap
4. the act of playing a percussion instrument