punch

punch

punch¹ [punch]

n.

[prob. < var. of ponchon: see PUNCHEON¹]

1.

a) a tool driven or pressed against a surface that is to be stamped, pierced, etc.

b) a tool driven against a nail, bolt, etc. that is to be worked in, or against a pin that is to be worked out

2. a device or machine for making holes, cuts, etc. [a paper punch]

3. the hole, cut, etc. made with a punch

vt.

1. to pierce, shape, stamp, cut, etc. with a punch

2. to make (a hole, cut, etc.) with or as with a punch

punch² [punch]

vt.

[ME punchen, orig. var. of pouncen (see POUNCE¹): infl. by PUNCH¹]

1. to prod or poke with a stick

☆ 2. to herd or drive (cattle)

3. to strike with the fist

4. to depress or push (a push button, a key on a keypad, etc.)

n.

1. a thrusting blow with the fist

☆ 2. Informal effective force; vigor

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beat to the punch

to be quicker than (another) in doing something, as in striking a blow

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pull one's punches Informal

1. Boxing to deliver blows that are intentionally ineffective

2. to attack, criticize, etc. in an intentionally ineffective manner

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☆ punch a time clock or punch a clock

to insert a timecard into a time clock when coming to or going from work

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punch in

☆ 1. to record the time of one's arrival by means of a time clock

2. to feed (data) as into a computer by pressing buttons or keys

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punch out

☆ 1. to record the time of one's departure by means of a time clock

2. Slang to beat up

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punch up

1. [Informal, Chiefly Brit.] to beat up

2. Informal to enhance, accentuate, or heighten the effect of [to punch up a dish with spices]

punch³ [punch]

n.

[Hindi pañca, five < Sans páñca (see FIVE): it orig. consisted of five ingredients]

a sweetened drink made with fruit juices, carbonated beverages, sherbet, etc., often mixed with wine or liquor, and served in cups from a large bowl