/ ˌpɜːfəˈreɪʃn; NAmE ˌpɜːrf-/ noun
1.
[ C , usually pl. , U ] a small hole in a surface, often one of a series of small holes :
Tear the sheet of stamps along the perforations.
2.
[ U ] ( medical ) the process of splitting or tearing in such a way that a hole is left :
Excessive pressure can lead to perforation of the stomach wall.
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from medieval Latin perforatio(n-) , from the verb perforare , from per- through + forare pierce.