PUNCTURE

n. & v.

--n.

1. a prick or pricking, esp. the accidental piercing of a pneumatic tyre.

2 a hole made in this way.

--v.

1. tr. make a puncture in.

2 intr. undergo puncture.

3 tr. prick or pierce.

Etymology: ME f. L punctura f. pungere punct- prick