percussion

noun

Etymology: From Middle English percussioun, from Middle French, Old French percussion, from Latin percussiō (“striking”), from percutiō (“to strike”).

1. The collision of two bodies in order to produce a sound.
2. The sound so produced.
3. The detonation of a percussion cap in a firearm.
4. The tapping of the body as an aid to medical diagnosis.
5. The section of an orchestra or band containing percussion instruments; such instruments considered as a group; in bands, may be separate from drum kits.
6. The repeated striking of an object to break or shape it, as in percussion drilling.

   “Moreover, a perfect Medal has its Profile and out-ſtroaks ſharp (Nummus aſper) and by no means rugged; the Figures clean and well poliſh'd; the Contours neatly trimm'd, and exactly round and carefully preſerv'd; that the Extancy and Relievos correſpond with the Ingraving, and have not ſuffer'd in Percuſſion; in all which, there is a certain Spirit of Antiquity and Excellency to be diſcern'd in Antient Medals almoſt inimitable.”

7. The outer side of the hand.