Library / English Dictionary

PUNCH

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

(boxing) a blow with the fist

Example:

I gave him a clout on his nose

Synonyms:

biff; clout; lick; poke; punch; slug

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Hypernyms ("punch" is a kind of...):

blow (a powerful stroke with the fist or a weapon)

Domain category:

boxing; fisticuffs; pugilism (fighting with the fists)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "punch"):

counter; counterpunch; parry (a return punch (especially by a boxer))

haymaker; knockout punch; KO punch; Sunday punch (a hard punch that renders the opponent unable to continue boxing)

hook (a short swinging punch delivered from the side with the elbow bent)

jab (a quick short straight punch)

rabbit punch (a short chopping blow to the back of the neck)

sucker punch (an unexpected punch)

Derivation:

punch (deliver a quick blow to)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A tool for making holes or indentations

Synonyms:

punch; puncher

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("punch" is a kind of...):

tool (an implement used in the practice of a vocation)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "punch"):

center punch (a tool with a conical point that is used to make indentations in metal (especially to mark points for drilling))

punch pliers (punch consisting of pliers for perforating paper or leather)

Derivation:

punch (make a hole into or between, as for ease of separation)

Sense 3

Meaning:

An iced mixed drink usually containing alcohol and prepared for multiple servings; normally served in a punch bowl

Classified under:

Nouns denoting foods and drinks

Hypernyms ("punch" is a kind of...):

mixed drink (made of two or more ingredients)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "punch"):

fruit punch (a punch made of fruit juices mixed with water or soda water (with or without alcohol))

milk punch (a punch made of spirits and milk and sugar and spices)

cup (a punch served in a pitcher instead of a punch bowl)

wassail (a punch made of sweetened ale or wine heated with spices and roasted apples; especially at Christmas)

fish house punch (a punch made of rum and brandy and water or tea sweetened with sugar syrup)

May wine (a punch made of Moselle and sugar and sparkling water or champagne flavored with sweet woodruff)

eggnog (a punch made of sweetened milk or cream mixed with eggs and usually alcoholic liquor)

glogg (Scandinavian punch made of claret and aquavit with spices and raisins and orange peel and sugar)

 II. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Deliver a quick blow to

Example:

he punched me in the stomach

Synonyms:

plug; punch

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Hypernyms (to "punch" is one way to...):

hit (deal a blow to, either with the hand or with an instrument)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody

Sentence example:

The fighter managed to punch his opponent

Derivation:

punch ((boxing) a blow with the fist)

puncher (someone who delivers punches)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Make a hole into or between, as for ease of separation

Example:

perforate the sheets of paper

Synonyms:

perforate; punch

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Hypernyms (to "punch" is one way to...):

pierce (make a hole into)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Derivation:

punch; puncher (a tool for making holes or indentations)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Drive forcibly as if by a punch

Example:

the nail punched through the wall

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Hypernyms (to "punch" is one way to...):

thrust (push forcefully)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Somebody ----s

Credits

 Context examples: 

He opened a door as he spoke, and looking in we saw a score of well-dressed men, some of whose faces had become familiar to me during my short West End career, seated round a table upon which stood a steaming soup-tureen filled with punch.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

I was wedged in between Redruth and a stout old gentleman, and in spite of the swift motion and the cold night air, I must have dozed a great deal from the very first, and then slept like a log up hill and down dale through stage after stage, for when I was awakened at last it was by a punch in the ribs, and I opened my eyes to find that we were standing still before a large building in a city street and that the day had already broken a long time.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

“Ahem!” said Mr. Micawber, clearing his throat, and warming with the punch and with the fire.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

He got mad when I spoke of interest, an' he said damn the principal and if I mentioned it again, he'd punch my Dutch head off.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

Mr. Micawber resumed his seat on the close of these remarks, and drank two glasses of punch in grave succession.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

"Now don't bite," Martin warned, "or else I'll have to punch your face. It would be a pity, for it is such a pretty face."

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

That my soul recoiled from punch particularly.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

"Hermann von Schmidt," Martin answered cheerfully, "I've a good mind to come over and punch that Dutch nose of yours."

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

There was wine, and there was strong ale; and after dinner Mrs. Micawber made us a bowl of hot punch with her own hands.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

If I'd put in the same years cow-punching, with my body young and pliable, I wouldn't be rolling now, but I'd be bow-legged.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)