# punch

Pronunciation: say "PUNCH" /pʌnt͡ʃ/

## Noun

1. A blow struck with the closed fist.
   - Simple: A hit made with the closed hand.
   - _A single punch to the jaw ended the fight._
   - _She delivered a quick punch and then stepped back out of reach._
3. A drink made from a mixture of fruit juice and other beverages, often including alcohol.
   - Simple: A drink made by mixing fruit juice with other drinks, sometimes with alcohol.
   - _The host spiked the punch with rum before the guests arrived._
   - _A bowl of citrus punch sat at the center of the table._
4. A device used to make holes in paper or other thin material.
   - Simple: A tool that makes holes in paper.
   - _She lined up the sheets and pressed the punch down firmly._
   - _A two-hole punch sits beside the printer for binding reports._
5. A slender, round tool used to make holes in material, drive objects through holes, or stamp a mark onto a surface.
   - Simple: A slim, round tool used to make holes or stamp a mark on a surface.
   - _The machinist set the punch against the steel plate and struck it sharply._
   - _A leatherworker used a punch to stamp a pattern into the belt._
6. Power, strength, or energy, especially as a quality that makes something effective or impressive.
   - Simple: Force and energy that make something powerful or exciting.
   - _The engine still has plenty of punch despite its age._
   - _Her closing argument delivered real punch to the jury._
8. A hole or opening made using a punch.
   - Simple: A hole made by a punching tool.
   - _She threaded the lace through every punch along the edge._
   - _The loyalty card had six punches, one for each visit._
13. The strong impact or effect that something has on those who experience it.
   - Simple: The strong effect something has on people.
   - _The headline was written to deliver maximum punch._
   - _Without a strong finish, the presentation lost its punch._
20. An extension piece fitted to the top of a pile during driving; also known as a dolly.
   - Simple: An extra piece put on top of a post to make it longer while it is driven into the ground.
   - _The workers placed a punch on the pile before the hammer struck again._
   - _A steel punch protected the pile head from the driving blows._
22. A prop or support, such as one used to hold up the roof of a mine.
   - Simple: A post used to hold something up, such as the roof of a mine.
   - _They wedged a fresh punch beneath the loose rock overhead._
   - _The old punch finally gave way under the weight of the seam._
23. Any of various Asian butterflies of the genus Dodona, part of the riodinid family.
   - Simple: One of a group of butterflies that live in Asia.
   - _A punch settled on a flower beside the trail, wings half open in the sun._
   - _The naturalist photographed three punches feeding near the stream._

## Verb

2. To strike someone or something with the closed fist.
   - Simple: To hit someone or something with your closed hand.
   - _I punch the heavy bag every morning to build strength._
   - _She punched the attacker hard enough to knock him down._
7. To use a punch to make a hole in something or to stamp or emboss a mark on it.
   - Simple: To use a tool to make a hole or stamp a mark in something.
   - _The craftsman punched decorative marks into the silver cuff._
   - _Workers punch holes in the strap to adjust its length._
9. To mark a ticket, typically by making a hole in it, to show that it has been used.
   - Simple: To make a hole or mark in a ticket to show it has been used.
   - _Conductors punch every ticket before the train leaves the station._
   - _She punched the commuter's pass and waved him through._
10. To operate a device or system by pressing a button, key, bar, or pedal.
   - Simple: To make a machine work by pressing a button or key.
   - _Punch the start key and the printer comes to life._
   - _He punched the controls and the elevator began to rise._
11. To make holes in something, such as a rail ticket or a leather belt.
   - Simple: To make holes in something like a ticket or a belt.
   - _Workers punch each leather strap before stitching it together._
   - _She punched the cardboard to thread a string through it._
12. To emphasize something, or to give strong emphasis to a point or idea.
   - Simple: To give strong emphasis to a word, point, or idea.
   - _The director told her to punch the last line of the monologue._
   - _The ad punches its main message with bold, repeated images._
14. To enter information into a device or system, typically by pressing keys or buttons.
   - Simple: To type or enter information into a machine or system.
   - _Operators punch each order into the system as it arrives._
   - _He punched the figures into the spreadsheet before lunch._
15. To thrust or poke against something.
   - Simple: To push or poke hard against something.
   - _Swimmers punch against the strong current to reach the shore._
   - _He punched against the jammed door with his shoulder._
16. To use less than full strength when striking a ball or similar object.
   - Simple: To hit a ball gently, with less than full strength.
   - _Good players punch the ball to keep it low and controlled._
   - _She punched the shuttlecock just past the net._
18. Ellipsis of punch above one's weight: to date somebody more attractive than oneself. *(slang, UK)*
   - Simple: Short form of punch above one's weight. It means to date someone more attractive than you are.
   - _My mates reckon I really punch, going out with someone as stunning as Priya._
   - _She's punching, dating someone that good-looking._
19. To stamp down the grape skins that float to the surface during fermentation.
   - Simple: To push down the grape skins that float to the top while wine is fermenting.
   - _Cellar workers punch the cap by hand throughout the day._
   - _He punched the must down to keep the skins submerged._
21. To herd or drive livestock from place to place.
   - Simple: To drive or move farm animals from one place to another.
   - _Drovers punch the herd across open country each morning._
   - _He punched the cattle toward the river at first light._

## Noun

17. A blow delivered by something other than the fist. *(rare)*
   - Simple: A hit from something other than a fist.
   - _The machine landed a sharp punch on the metal plate._
   - _He felt a sudden punch as the beam swung into his side._
24. A short and fat person. *(archaic)*
   - Simple: A short, fat person.
   - _The innkeeper was a cheerful punch with a red, round face._
   - _A waddling punch of a man filled the narrow doorway._

## Adjective

25. Short and thickset in build. *(archaic, Northern England, Scotland)*
   - Simple: Short and heavily built.

## Origin

**Meanings 1–2, 6, 10–19, 21** — From Middle English punchen, which came partly from Old French ponchonner ("to punch"), from ponchon ("pointed tool"), and ultimately from Latin punctio, from punctus, the past participle of pungō ("I prick"). It was also partly a shortened variant of Middle English punischen ("to punish") and influenced by punchon ("a punch").
**Meanings 4–5, 7–9, 20, 22** — A shortened form of puncheon, from Middle English punchoun, from Old French ponchon ("pointed tool"), from Latin punctio, from punctus, the past participle of pungō ("I prick").
**Meaning 3** — From Hindi पाँच (pā̃c) / Urdu پانچ (pānc, "five"), from Sanskrit पञ्चन् (páñcan), so named because the drink originally had five ingredients: spirits, water, lemon juice, sugar, and spice. It is a doublet of five, cinque, and pimp.
**Meaning 23** — From Punch.
**Meanings 24–25** — Uncertain. Perhaps shortened from puncheon (compare German Punze, Punzen, "cask; short fat person or thing") or from Punchinello.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/punch (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).