pə(r)ˈkəs verb
( -ed/-ing/-es )
Etymology: Latin percussus, past participle of percutere
transitive verb
: to strike on or against : rap ; especially : to tap (a body part) repeatedly to elicit evidence (as sounds) of use in medical diagnosis
a healthy tooth percussed with a metal instrument … gives a metallic sound — K.H.Thoma
intransitive verb
: tap ; especially : to percuss a body part
percussing with the ends of our fingers over the lungs — Robert Chawner