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perforate

verb

  1. to make a hole through, puncture
L301336 on Wikidata ↗

adjective

No English definition recorded for this entry.

L339205 on Wikidata ↗

Wiktionary

Pronunciation: /ˈpəːfəreɪt/

adj

Etymology: The adjective is first attested in 1425, in Middle English, the verb in 1538; from Middle English perforat(e) (“perforated, pierced”), borrowed from Latin perforātus, the perfect passive participle of perforō (“to bore or pierce through, to perforate”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix) and -ate (adjective-forming suffix)), from per- (“through, thorough”) + forō (“to bore, pierce”). Participial usage of the adjective up until Early Modern English.

  1. Perforated.

    An Earthen Pot perforate at the Bottom to let in the Plant.

  2. Perforated, having a hole.

    Suche abuses can not be longe hydde frome princis, that haue their eares perforate (as is the prouerbe).

  3. Perforated.

    A species of remarkable appearance with mature leaf laminae often so profoundly perforate as to resemble a fragile net of tissue.

verb

Etymology: The adjective is first attested in 1425, in Middle English, the verb in 1538; from Middle English perforat(e) (“perforated, pierced”), borrowed from Latin perforātus, the perfect passive participle of perforō (“to bore or pierce through, to perforate”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix) and -ate (adjective-forming suffix)), from per- (“through, thorough”) + forō (“to bore, pierce”). Participial usage of the adjective up until Early Modern English.

  1. To pierce; to penetrate.
  2. To make a line of holes in (a thin material) to allow separation at the line.

    to perforate a sheet of postage stamps