punched
|punch|
/pʌntʃ/
(punch)
forceful impact
Etymology
'punch' (verb, to strike or to make a hole) in modern English is connected to words for piercing and stamping in Romance languages and ultimately traces back to Latin 'pungere' meaning 'to prick or pierce.' Separately, the English noun 'punch' (the drink) comes from Hindi 'pāñch' meaning 'five' (referring to five ingredients).
'punch' (to pierce/stamp) developed via Old French/Medieval Latin forms related to 'poinçon'/'pungere' (words for a punch or punch-tool) and passed into Middle English as forms like 'punchen' before settling as modern English 'punch.' The drink sense entered English in the 17th century from Hindi 'pāñch' and became a separate homograph.
Initially associated with the action of pricking or piercing ('to prick, stamp, or pierce') from Latin roots; over time English kept that sense (to perforate or stamp) and extended it to related senses (to strike, to make a hole, to record time). The drink sense, from Hindi, retained the separate meaning 'a mixed drink.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
past tense or past participle of 'punch': struck someone or something with a fist or a similar blunt instrument.
He punched the door in frustration and hurt his hand.
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Verb 2
past tense or past participle of 'punch': made a hole or holes in something using a punch tool or similar action (e.g., punched a hole in paper).
She punched a hole in the ticket before handing it back.
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Verb 3
past tense or past participle of 'punch': (with machinery) to stamp or press something by applying force (e.g., punched out parts from sheet metal).
The factory punched the metal pieces to the required shape.
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Verb 4
past tense or past participle of 'punch' (phrasal use): recorded a time or action by using a time clock or similar device (e.g., punched in/out).
He punched in at 9:00 and punched out at 17:30.
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Adjective 1
describing something that has been struck, perforated, or stamped (e.g., a punched ticket or a punched card).
Please keep your punched ticket as proof of purchase.
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Last updated: 2025/12/03 11:20