Percussion

[per-kuhsh-uh n] /pərˈkʌʃ ən/

noun
1.
the striking of one body against another with some sharpness; impact; blow.
2.
Medicine/Medical. the striking or tapping of the surface of a part of the body for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.
3.
the striking of a musical instrument to produce tones.
4.
Music.

5.
a sharp blow for detonating a percussion cap or the fuze of an artillery shell.
6.
the striking of sound on the ear.
7.
the act of percussing.
/pəˈkʌʃən/
noun
1.
the act, an instance, or an effect of percussing
2.
(music) the family of instruments in which sound arises from the striking of materials with sticks, hammers, or the hands
3.
(music)

4.
(med) the act of percussing a body surface
5.
the act of exploding a percussion cap
n.

early 15c., “a striking, a blow; internal injury, contusion,” from Latin percussionem (nominative percussio) “a beating, striking; a beat as a measure of time,” noun of action from past participle stem of percutere “to strike hard, beat, smite; strike through and through,” from per- “through” (see per) + quatere “to strike, shake” (see quash). Reference to musical instruments is first recorded 1776.

percussion per·cus·sion (pər-kŭsh’ən)
n.
A method of medical diagnosis in which various areas of the body, especially the chest, back, and abdomen, are tapped with the finger or a plexor to determine by resonance the condition of internal organs.

A family of musical instruments played by striking their surfaces. Percussion instruments are used to accentuate and dramatize certain notes or rhythms and include instruments such as cymbals, drums, triangles, and xylophones. (See kettledrum, snare drum, and orchestra.)