I. ˈpəŋ(k)chə(r), -(k)sh- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Latin punctura, prick, puncture, from punctus (past participle of pungere to prick) + -ura -ure — more at pungent
1. : act of puncturing : perforation with something pointed
2. : a hole, slight wound, or other perforation made by puncturing
the puncture of a hypodermic needle
a puncture wound made by a thorn
specifically : an accidental perforation in a pneumatic tire
3. : a minute depression like one made by a point
a shallow puncture on an insect's thorax
II. verb
( punctured ; punctured ; puncturing -chəriŋ, -sh(ə)riŋ ; punctures )
transitive verb
1. : to pierce with a pointed instrument or object : prick : make a puncture in
puncture the skin with a needle
2. : to suffer a puncture of
punctured his new tire
3. : to deflate or make useless or absurd as if by a puncture : destroy
puncture one's ego
puncture an illusion
puncture a fallacy
puncture pretensions
4. : to pass a spark discharge through (an insulator)
intransitive verb
: to become punctured
Synonyms: see perforate