puncture
Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
puncture/ˈpʌŋktʃə(r)/
▶noun a small hole caused by a sharp object, especially one in a tyre. ▶verb
- 1 make a puncture in.
- 2 cause a sudden collapse of (a mood, feeling, etc.).
– origin ME: from L. punctura, from punct-, pungere ‘prick’.
'puncture' also found in these Oxford entries:
acupuncture
- lumbar puncture
- phlebotomy
- prick
- punch
- puncheon
- slow puncture
- spare tyre
- spinal tap
- venepuncture
