/ ˈpʌml; NAmE / verb
( -ll- , US -l- ) to keep hitting sb/sth hard, especially with your fists (= tightly closed hands) :
[ vn ]
He pummelled the pillow with his fists.
( figurative )
She pummelled (= strongly criticized) her opponents.
[ v ]
Her fists pummelled at his chest.
➡ note at beat
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 16th cent.: variant of pommel .